system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
It’s probably the biggest source of conflict on flights. Part of the problem is the way the airlines have packed the seats in coach. The recline feature was designed for a different plane configuration. For the person behind you, it makes for a miserable flight because it encroaches on a large amount of their personal space. 

This has become a polarizing issue, reflective of our combative society. Many people on the “pro recline” side think they have an absolute right to do whatever they want, regardless of the effect on others. Their position is that it is permitted, they “paid for their seat”. 

So you can do it, but you will make the flight very unpleasant for the person behind you. To me, it seems like a really selfish thing to do, but in many ways it’s an issue that is exacerbated by the airlines.
gpt
&gt;Their position is that it is permitted, they “paid for their seat”.

No, their position is "the seat is *literally designed to* recline".

If you need more room that the seat naturally affords, your beef is with the airline, not the person who's using the seat *as it was designed to be used*, and you fork over more money for an aisle, bulkhead, or exit seat.