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Cars, computers, cell phones, rockets to mars, etc... all exist because rich people bought the super expensive first versions or funded their development. We al
by johndevor 6y ago
Cars, computers, cell phones, rockets to mars, etc... all exist because rich people bought the super expensive first versions or funded their development. We all benefit from those things greatly.
- pwinnski 6y agoYou seem to radically misunderstand the history of cars, computers, and cell phones, and I fail to see how we're all benefiting from rockets to mars--which don't yet exist--at this time.
- dwaltrip 6y agoIt is true that many innovative developments occur from well-off people funding or buying the initial versions. But it is ridiculously absurd to assert that all developments or even most come from this.
- pwinnski 6y agoAgreed! Innovation via excess wealth seems like one of the most inefficient possible means of innovation. It happens, but it is by no means necessary.
- bearjaws 6y agoA lot of early model cars were very affordable, the first iPhone was $600, nobody who is poor has concerns with Mars... This really isn't a compelling case.
- bovermyer 6y agoThat's false equivalence. The luxury goods market does not equate to the general economy, nor wealth distribution.
- NicoJuicy 6y agoTrickle down economy is about paying essentials to other businesses? That's a first
- standardUser 6y agoSure, having a few million bucks kicking around lets a small class of people contribute to the commercial development of some types of products. Having a few billion dollars kicking around does not yield such benefits.
- johndevor 6y ago> Having a few billion dollars kicking around does not yield such benefits. Sure it does - they reinvest that money into companies who develop technology.
- jacques_chester 6y agoWe also greatly benefit from the enormous public R&D spending on these products over several decades, a lot of it for military purposes. The super rich can contribute to public R&D through taxes.
- durnygbur 6y agoI disagree. The rich are interested in the premium segment of goods. The general public would have no benefit from Rolls Roys, Bugatti cars, from private luxury jets.