Could you imagine trying to get there to be libraries today if the concept was new? "We can't possibly just let people read for free! What, do you think literacy is a right? It's a privilege!"

[–] Randelung 20 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Same for firefighters.

"PAY people to sit around in case a fire breaks out?? That almost never happens! Also, ignore everything else they do. It's everyone's responsibility to keep fires out of their homes. We'll sell them a new one if something happens, though. And their neighbors. And THEIR neighbors. Also, literally buy a fireplace from us, please."

[–] Stern 1 points 3 days ago

Ironically that was the case for a good long while, and has been the case on exceedingly rare occasion in the more modern era.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefighting_in_ancient_Rome

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_firefighting#United_States

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39516346