Hacker News Reader

... where there are serious externalities. Isn't this where government regulation is most suited?

What externalities? What material harm is caused by putting up a sign, beyond "I disapprove of it"?

Poor aesthetics cause psychological harm through both distraction and pure ugliness. I shouldn't have to combat decades of scientific research on attention-stealing simply to maintain my train of thought as I walk down the street.

Admit it - you have no evidence other than anecdotes to prove that signs cause material harm, and therefore externalities.

This is government red tape that hurts the economy in that city.

> Admit it - you have no evidence other than anecdotes to prove that signs cause material harm

Could you then show some evidence for the below quote? -

> Basically, the economy in that city is worse off overall as a result, and there are fewer jobs to go around.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com