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You really think the PC is a good example of something "created by a free market" not the result of the govt pouring millions into R&D in the decades previous?
by zajd 9y ago
You really think the PC is a good example of something "created by a free market" not the result of the govt pouring millions into R&D in the decades previous?
- nickpp 9y agoNobody's denying the contribution of the govt $$$ to the creation of the PC. But I've seen computers build by governments. They were slow, huge, power hungry, expensive behemoths. They sucked. We're a long way from there. And free market brought us all the way here.
- zajd 9y agoWhat about the internet? The highway system?
- nickpp 9y agoSame thing with the internet. Government spending got us super expensive connections between a handful of universities. Free markets took that and brought it as what we know as the fast, cheap internet to our doors. Although regulations in the telecom/cable/ISP markets are working hard to impede that. Yes, govt made the highways. Did not really repair them afterwards (at least around here) but it was definitely a good thing. However, when judging by the bottom line, the number of good products created by govts is incredibly small compared to the amazing breadth and diversity coming from the open markets. That logically makes me trust the market system overall and to prefer a small, limited government role. But I am afraid we are moving into quite the opposite direction...
- zajd 9y agoWhat kind of role do you think the government should play? Should we continue to privatize things like prisons? Seems it would be difficult to incentive rehabilitation when prisons are paid per bed filled. On the other side, should we privatize the military? the fire department? the courts? the police? why not?
- nickpp 9y agoA role as small as possible, but not smaller. Specifics depends of the domain, and there you need a domain expert, which I am not. I just believe that as a general strategy, we should be continuously attempting to reduce govt power and involvement while allowing the free markets to work. I am worried that we are doing the opposite, where our current response to pretty much any issue is more govt regulation/intervention instead. A middle way would be great.
- zajd 9y ago> I just believe that as a general strategy, we should be continuously attempting to reduce govt power and involvement while allowing the free markets to work. Sure, I can agree with that. But what if the lack of government power is what is preventing free markets from working? Things like anti-monopoly legislation. I mean, I'll give you that the reason these things exist is because private companies use the government to enforce their monopoly. But how do you plan on opposing that without using some sort of anti-trust action?
- tooltalk 9y agoThey both were built in the name of defense and national security during the cold war. You are not suggesting that we be in a permanent state of wars to promote gov't funding of R&D?
- akmiller 9y agoEver heard of NASA?
- taway_1212 9y agoAre you aware of the fact that Sillicon Valley was created by the US Government?
- tooltalk 9y agoAre you referring to the fact that SV was initially founded by the defense industry -- which was in turn all funded by the gov't -- in its early days?
- taway_1212 9y agoYes.
- valuearb 9y agoLOL. The PC was nearly entirely a free market phenomenon. It’s like sayming cars wouldn’t exist without governments switching warships to oil, most developments are inevitable regardless of government actions.