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Comment by naoqj | Hacker News Reader

This particular festivity brings tourists and with them a lot of money to the city, so the locals probably see it as necessary.

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I guess we should bring back gladiator tournaments too, then?

Is MMA, boxing, or American football so much different?

Yes, as participants have a choice, e.g. they consent to the suffering.

So you would consent to gladiator fighting between two consenting humans then?

He has to consent to what others do?

It’s an interesting dilemma because they are consenting, but to what extent are they being influenced by the money compared to their career opportunities outside of the sport?

Many athletes in dangerous sports come from lower class backgrounds where it might be seen as the only ticket out of poverty.

I don’t think it’s enough to convert a pacifist into an MMA fighter, but its certainly not the same equation for kids growing up at different income levels.

Surely you can see the difference between a game of American football and the goring of an innocent terrified animal via swords.

Good point. I was thinking more of the outcomes, such as unnecessary physical harm in exchange for entertainment.

You may be surprised to know that yes, we have gladiator fights in Spain. In September, and they are a lot of fun.

Not. I'm not joking. It's something you have to see to believe it :-)

The only real gladiator stuff going on today is Calcio Storico.

Proof me wrong.

It’s not the only way a city can make money, so I wouldn’t exactly describe it as necessary.

One day they’ll switch to a Boston Dynamics Safety Bull and put up a museum of shame memorializing the historical approach, and the tourists will come to see that.

Yes, I'm sure as many tourists will come to see that.

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