4 ms·

Copying doesn't really encourage progress, because nobody wants to be the one to spend millions (or billions) in R and D (while the rest spend $0). I don't kno

Copying doesn't really encourage progress, because nobody wants to be the one to spend millions (or billions) in R and D (while the rest spend $0). I don't know any brand off the top of my head from China that is top-quality. Most are blatent, cheap, ripoffs of better brands.

pantalaimon 11y ago
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11001640 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11001640
- bobby_9x 11y ago
  Is this supposed to be the one example to prove me wrong? ...it's an exception to the rule.
- yohui 11y ago
  It seems clear to me that Lego's introduction of underside tubes that allowed for much greater connectivity was the crucial innovation. Also, this is only an example of copying relatively primitive designs, not expensive R&D.
userbinator 11y ago
because nobody wants to be the one to spend millions (or billions) in R and D (while the rest spend $0). They spend only enough to get ahead of their competitors, which is why I said it's a completely different model. Progress happens more incrementally.
nickpsecurity 11y ago
That's why there's no tech being produced or improved in China, right? :P
- bobby_9x 11y ago
  besides the technology to censor people at a grand scale, what piece of technology was invented in China that hasn't been ripped off from another company in another country? I've been to China many times over the years for business and I haven't seen anything revolutionary. China's lax IP laws will only get them so far. If they want to actually become a real tech. center, they need to have protections in place for inventors/companies (and actually enforce them). The other problem is government corruption, but this is for another discussion entirely.
  - nickpsecurity 11y ago
    How much tech in America isnt a knockoff or rehash of some other tech? By your standard, most American "innovation" or IT doesnt count either.
rasz_pl 11y ago
Xiaomi

pantalaimon 11y ago

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11001640 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11001640

bobby_9x 11y ago
Is this supposed to be the one example to prove me wrong? ...it's an exception to the rule.
yohui 11y ago
It seems clear to me that Lego's introduction of underside tubes that allowed for much greater connectivity was the crucial innovation. Also, this is only an example of copying relatively primitive designs, not expensive R&D.

userbinator 11y ago

because nobody wants to be the one to spend millions (or billions) in R and D (while the rest spend $0). They spend only enough to get ahead of their competitors, which is why I said it's a completely different model. Progress happens more incrementally.

nickpsecurity 11y ago

That's why there's no tech being produced or improved in China, right? :P

bobby_9x 11y ago
besides the technology to censor people at a grand scale, what piece of technology was invented in China that hasn't been ripped off from another company in another country? I've been to China many times over the years for business and I haven't seen anything revolutionary. China's lax IP laws will only get them so far. If they want to actually become a real tech. center, they need to have protections in place for inventors/companies (and actually enforce them). The other problem is government corruption, but this is for another discussion entirely.
- nickpsecurity 11y ago
  How much tech in America isnt a knockoff or rehash of some other tech? By your standard, most American "innovation" or IT doesnt count either.

rasz_pl 11y ago

Xiaomi