Last week, we were having a lunch break at a local indoor play space. Larkin was describing an interaction between "watcher" and child (she's very careful with language and wasn't sure the adult was actually a parent) that she had been disturbed by. She said the watcher kept scolding the child about trivial things like buttoning their shirt. She thought having someone treat you that way would make being at the play space less fun. The following conversation ensued:
Finn: What is "scolding?"
Me [struggling with a definition for some reason]: It's when someone tells you that they don't like something you're doing. There are usually patronizing connotations. [insert definition of patronizing]
Finn: Oh! So, like, if someone kills someone else they would be scolded.
Me [guffaw]: Well, there are usually more serious repercussions for murder than a scolding.
Finn: I think people who kill should be executed. That way other people will know it's wrong.
Larkin [without even a moment's hesitation]: Wait! It doesn't make sense to kill someone to show people that killing people is wrong!
Me: Holy shit! You guys just outlined the quintessential arguments for and against the death penalty! This is a debate that has been going on for a *long* time! [insert more definitions, a long conversation about states rights and the death penalty and some funny looks from our fellow diners.]
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