Getting tough with people as a motivation for better behaviour is overrated. In fact, it's successful only within a range that falls within our comfort zones and doesn't trigger a trauma response. But even though it often produces results akin to flogging a dead or dying horse, many insist it's always the best policy; especially, sadly, religiously minded folks and those who believe in coercion to obey law - as though we always have the ability to make any good choice by shee