Patents encourage this idea of, "it's the idea, not the execution that matters". You see this propagate in start up land where new founders want you to sign an

Patents encourage this idea of, "it's the idea, not the execution that matters". You see this propagate in start up land where new founders want you to sign an NDA just to pitch to you. The whole thing is silly. I don't think ideas are nearly as original as we would like to believe. Pretty sure every one of us has seen some thing come out that we replied, "hey, that's my idea!". I think we tell ourselves that the big guys with the money just want to steal our idea, and patents protect the little guy. But it would take more money to patent something (legal fees) than just go out and build it. Investing and manufacturing companies have pivoted to a "prove to me your idea is useful by making a small business first" model, which, essentially invalidates the theoretical purpose of patents.