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I agree in principal. Though I have never explored data extensively I would say in general it's probably true. Though patents were created to protect the aver

I agree in principal. Though I have never explored data extensively I would say in general it's probably true. Though patents were created to protect the average inventor, they end up protecting (net value) the large corporation. It's hard for the typical "hard-core capitalist / free-market guy" to understand, but I consistently argue that regardless of where the money flows as long as passionate people are able to sustain a comfortable living studying what they love, there will always be amazing breakthroughs in all fields, regardless of "market forces".

biomcgary 11y ago
Why would some one who is free-market be in favor of patents? Patents involve government intervention at a very low level (e.g., evaluating technical details to determine patentability) and are prone to regulatory capture, which is not remotely free-market. I do see how a "hard-core capitalist" would love patents though.
- vezzy-fnord 11y ago
  Correct. Patents are antithetical to a free market, as Rothbard wrote in Chapter 10 of Man, Economy, State. I don't know of a more definitive hardcore laissez-faire capitalist than that.
- datashovel 11y ago
  Sorry, I was formulating 2 separate thoughts in a single comment. Not obvious now that I've re-read it.
hackuser 11y ago
> It's hard for the typical "hard-core capitalist / free-market guy" to understand, but I consistently argue that regardless of where the money flows as long as passionate people are able to sustain a comfortable living studying what they love, there will always be amazing breakthroughs in all fields, regardless of "market forces". You have ample evidence of what is accomplished without market forces: The Internet, Web, email, Linux, Firefox, Newton, Einstein, almost all science, every political and social idea and movement, everything done by almost any soldier (who give their lives without the pull of market forces), parent, friend, mentor, etc. (EDIT: I forgot NASA and most other explorers!) The idea that people only act due to market forces and selfishness is obviously absurd, a simplistic ideology used by some to rationalize their own greed.

biomcgary 11y ago

Why would some one who is free-market be in favor of patents? Patents involve government intervention at a very low level (e.g., evaluating technical details to determine patentability) and are prone to regulatory capture, which is not remotely free-market. I do see how a "hard-core capitalist" would love patents though.

vezzy-fnord 11y ago
Correct. Patents are antithetical to a free market, as Rothbard wrote in Chapter 10 of Man, Economy, State. I don't know of a more definitive hardcore laissez-faire capitalist than that.
datashovel 11y ago
Sorry, I was formulating 2 separate thoughts in a single comment. Not obvious now that I've re-read it.

hackuser 11y ago

> It's hard for the typical "hard-core capitalist / free-market guy" to understand, but I consistently argue that regardless of where the money flows as long as passionate people are able to sustain a comfortable living studying what they love, there will always be amazing breakthroughs in all fields, regardless of "market forces". You have ample evidence of what is accomplished without market forces: The Internet, Web, email, Linux, Firefox, Newton, Einstein, almost all science, every political and social idea and movement, everything done by almost any soldier (who give their lives without the pull of market forces), parent, friend, mentor, etc. (EDIT: I forgot NASA and most other explorers!) The idea that people only act due to market forces and selfishness is obviously absurd, a simplistic ideology used by some to rationalize their own greed.