The opposite is true as well. When I live, it is fairly easy to make enough trouble for a state commission that whoever pushed an insane fine like this won't be open to do it again. And that will help deter others at the state from trying it. Playing Dukes of Hazard with a TRX is fairly stupid unless the YouTube revenue covers it. In that case, it might be pretty smart if there is a profit. But for somebody at the state to make a national issue out this, that's definitely stupid and state resources were wasted that could have been spent on fishing and boating.
I can't disagree that it's a smart financial move if his following generates enough revenue to cover the cost of the damage. I don't know how social media generates money, but I do understand that it does. I'm assuming by the number of views, likes, or something like that. So yes, it could be profitable. Still not a "smart" or safe thing to do, but financially a good move.
I would contest though, that the state didn't make it a national issue. The media did. The state simply filed a charge. The resources required to do that are minimal at best. One officer and a single piece of paper is all it takes to file the charge, and in some cases (depending on the court) the paper isn't even required since some are done digitally now.
I find it hard to say that resources were tied up or wasted since it probably took less than an hour to file, and insignificant materials. Any court time resulting from the charge would easily be recovered by the fine, even if it was greatly reduced.
Looking at the big picture, I think that by deterring others from doing this, they could potentially SAVE state resources. If the other people try to do a similar stunt and fail to make the jump, the resources will be spent rendering aid, and/or dealing with materials released into the waterway.
IDK, that's just my view on it, but I'm a rule follower. I drive the speed limit, I stay on trail while hiking, I wheel on permitted paths, I hunt in season with the appropriate licensing, and I try to leave places the same or better than I found them. Jumping a creek and smashing glass, plastic or other debris isn't very eco friendly. Much less the inevitable gouges, ruts or other damage he created when it landed. Heck it's clear from all the dirt in the attached image that he made a mess taking off too. That is definitely NOT treading lightly. Good financial move or not, it was stupid and careless. Focused only on his own personal gain, with no regard of his impact to the environment, or his followers who may harm themselves trying to emulate him. Self-centered.
5thgenrams.com
