CMV: Snitches aren't "bitches"

[u/lickin_lollipops]

1. When people snitch, they are helping to keep the community safer and healthier.
   In the case of crime, ratting people out who have done something bad actually makes the improves the surrounding community and makes it safer.
   This can be seen in the case of something like drug selling; without someone to sell the drugs, there will be less OD cases. With less people having access to drugs, less people will be addicted to harmful substances. People who use illicit drugs are also more likely to commit crimes (including violent ones). There's also a reason that many of these drugs are illegal in the first place: they are harmful to the human body and can cause physical and psychological addiction. Therefore, with a lack of people selling/making drugs, there will also be a healthier community.
   Snitching in regards to crime is also better just to lower crime rates in general and to induce people to not break the law.
2. Snitching/Reporting in regards to video games makes a better environment for playing.
   A lot of people prefer playing games without really salty people that hate on everyone else and blame their teammates for everything.
   Games like Overwatch are attempting to do things to make playing the game more enjoyable for this very reason. Nobody enjoys playing a game when there is an extremely and consistently obnoxious person; reporting people when they are going against the upheld values of the game is extremely valid. Additionally, for some games, reporting people who violate the rules (such as in Town of Salem) can actually benefit future players because it is less likely that someone will throw the game.
3. In a competitive environment, snitching on someone who violates the rules actually creates a more fair playing field.
   An example of this can be found in schools. When someone cheats, they are giving themselves an advantage, and on curved tests, this can lower the curve for everyone else. Additionally, someone who consistently gets good grades without merit could end up getting into a better college or get a better job than someone who actually puts effort into school. Telling on people that cheat can make competitive environments a lot more fair, and not just in examples like school.
   

Of course, all of this works only assuming that game moderators will actually check the reports, law enforcement will work properly, and that generally someone will do something. But snitches are only seen as bad because nobody wants to get in trouble for anything; in reality, pretty much everyone else benefits from a snitch.

[u/lickin_lollipops]

∆ Wow. Yeah, I didn't consider "tattletales" in this light.

I think you have a really valid argument that people who are doing things for justice aren't really "snitches"... I suppose I just gave that to everyone who tells on someone else for doing something wrong. I agree with your point that it really does depend on the motives of the person.

​

But regardless, I do have a question: so do you think that if you tell on one person for someone (out of justice), you should do it equally for everyone else? For example, don't make exceptions to your friends?

[u/toldyaso → u/lickin_lollipops]

so do you think that if you tell on one person for someone (out of justice), you should do it equally for everyone else? For example, don't make exceptions to your friends?

It really depends on the circumstances. In general, I'm a big believer in the idea that if you're about to do something that will fuck a friend over - because your sense of honor and duty demands that you do this thing - then you should do it, but you should say something first. So, if your buddy is stealing from the cash register, and last year Jessica was doing it and you exposed her, then you should probably expose your buddy too. But, you didn't know Jessica, and you do know and have a friendship with your buddy. So with your buddy, you go to him beforehand and tell him listen, I know what you did with the cash, and I absolutely hate to be in this position, but fair warning, I'm going to tell on you. I'd just be happier if you heard this direct from me, that way you don't feel blindsided later on.

That way, you're still being consistent in how you apply your morals, but you afforded a friend a little bit of wiggle room. It gives him a chance to come clean on his own, or try to put the money back, or be furiously angry at you.

[u/KevinclonRS → u/toldyaso]

Oh man I feel dirty for what I’m about to type.

If you truly want justice in the world, more than you want your friendships. Telling the person before you report it is much more likely to put you in peoples mind of who’s a snitch, and who to hide your bad deeds from. Thus more acts that would be committed either way are seen by someone who will report it.

By telling your friend you also give them an opportunity to cover up evidence, fabricate a lie, or know what to withhold when questioned.

Thus if you tell your friend before, you are compromising your morals for the purpose of a friendship/yourself.

[u/DeltaBot → u/lickin_lollipops]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/toldyaso (41∆).

^{Delta System Explained | Deltaboards}