4 ms·

It's not really free market capitalism unless the slaves voluntarily sold themselves. They didn't. Thus it's just stealing. Stealing can also make you rich.

thephyber 7y ago
Interestingly, thought leaders at the time of European ownage of African slaves thought the differences of "races" were similar to the differences between species. I'd wager some people still do. Laissez-faire[1] capitalism fundamentals require "freedom of the individual", but the definition of "individual" is usually not specific enough to afford it to all human beings or to prevent it from being ascribed to non-human entities. I wonder if we will ever get to a place where we recognize the intelligence of other species / non-human entities (non-terrestrials, AI, incredibly intelligent dogs/dolphins/elephants etc.) deserves these same protections in the economy. Also worth noting that "negative externalities"[2] can also cause massive harm[3], but laissez-faire capitalism doesn't always afford for any protections against them (depending on how obvious/proximal they are to a human action/intention). [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externality#Negative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externality#Negative [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt_bondage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt_bondage
- watwut 7y ago
  Thought leaders of anything defend and rationalize what is beneficial to that thing. Communists leaders rationalized and explained communism. Not only incidentally, it made them more powerful. Thought leaders of nazi thought it is necessary to kill Jews. Does not mean I have to buy those theories or treat them with naive "they surely meant well".
ionised 7y ago
He said capitalism, not free-market capitalism. They are not the same thing.

thephyber 7y ago

Interestingly, thought leaders at the time of European ownage of African slaves thought the differences of "races" were similar to the differences between species. I'd wager some people still do. Laissez-faire[1] capitalism fundamentals require "freedom of the individual", but the definition of "individual" is usually not specific enough to afford it to all human beings or to prevent it from being ascribed to non-human entities. I wonder if we will ever get to a place where we recognize the intelligence of other species / non-human entities (non-terrestrials, AI, incredibly intelligent dogs/dolphins/elephants etc.) deserves these same protections in the economy. Also worth noting that "negative externalities"[2] can also cause massive harm[3], but laissez-faire capitalism doesn't always afford for any protections against them (depending on how obvious/proximal they are to a human action/intention). [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laissez-faire [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externality#Negative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externality#Negative [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt_bondage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt_bondage

watwut 7y ago
Thought leaders of anything defend and rationalize what is beneficial to that thing. Communists leaders rationalized and explained communism. Not only incidentally, it made them more powerful. Thought leaders of nazi thought it is necessary to kill Jews. Does not mean I have to buy those theories or treat them with naive "they surely meant well".

ionised 7y ago

He said capitalism, not free-market capitalism. They are not the same thing.