In a wonderful case of irrelevance, Reuters reports that a study shows that New Yorkers may one day embrace the public smoking ban that Mayor Bloomberg is thrusting upon them. Evidence cited includes the quick assimilation of Californians their state wide smoking ban. "As people grew accustomed to smoke-free bars they absolutely realized that smoke-free bars are so much more enjoyable," said study co-author Colleen Stevens, of the California Department of Health Services in Sacramento. Pavlov would be proud.

The article and study are dripping with the arrogant notion that resistance is futile. The state knows what's best for you, and even if you don't like it, you'll soon grow to accept it. Also, never once do they even address the ethics behind behavioral conditioning, or taking away the rights of private property owners and their patrons. This should stand as a perfect example of the dangers of democracy, in that the unethical act of dictating the behaviors of property owners and their patrons is being legitimized by basic mob rule and majority acceptance. It makes me sick.

In a related note, similar studies also show that when aliens take over the Earth, people will get used to anal probes and mind control devices.