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> Do you beleive that meritocracy leads to better outcomes? Do you believe that being rich implies merit? I would argue most exceptionally wealthy people are l

> Do you beleive that meritocracy leads to better outcomes? Do you believe that being rich implies merit? I would argue most exceptionally wealthy people are likely to be at or above average intelligence, but the unifying element is luck. Being in the right place at the right time with the right amount of money, and knowing the right people to bring it together. Very few people have the means to even try to build SpaceX, so it’s hard to say how the average person measures up. > Why do you think that the government is better positioned to allocate resources than the people who made the money? I don’t, but I do think letting private citizens fling around “space program” quantities of money is going to end poorly. The state depends on the monopoly on violence to function, and every day we move closer to that monopoly only existing because rich private citizens choose to allow it. Building a Rods From God platform is not out of Elons reach. I don’t think he would do it, but the potential is concerning to say the least. It would be better to reign that in before it becomes a problem than to wait until it is a problem.

EnigmaFlare 2y ago
He can't build Rods From God for his personal use because the government won't allow it. Or are you suggesting he builds it then uses it to perform a one-man military coup on the US and disables all their defenses? That's complete nonsense.
- TrapLord_Rhodo 2y ago
  Give it some time, not only will the government allow it, they will pay for it.
WalterBright 2y ago
> but the unifying element is luck Smart people make their own luck. You don't get lucky posting on the internet. > Very few people have the means to even try to build SpaceX Musk didn't either - he created a series of companies, each one financed by the success of the previous one.
Dalewyn 2y ago
>Do you believe that being rich implies merit? To some degree, yes. You don't get rich by being incompetent, and even if you get a headstart with an inheritance or endowment you're still going to end up broke if you can't keep making money. >the unifying element is luck. Being in the right place at the right time with the right amount of money, and knowing the right people to bring it together. In Japan we say that luck is just another element of your abilities. We also like saying that you don't wait for miracles, you make them yourself. Considering that Japanese society has a fairly unambitious culture, them saying that should tell you something. >every day we move closer to that monopoly only existing because rich private citizens choose to allow it. The US government exists at the pleasure of the people, the US military serves in our interests at our pleasure. Government of the people, by the people, for the people as President Abraham Lincoln once said. Americans choosing to allow the US government is the system working exactly as intended.
pests 2y ago
Starlink is prepped to add ICBM launch sensors in select satellites and then potential "deactivation" measures. A global iron dome.
elintknower 2y ago
Yes, as a minority immigrant to the US, meritocracy is what got me here. Idk why americans are so obsessed with this air headed topic.
- dragonwriter 2y ago
  > Yes, as a minority immigrant to the US, meritocracy is what got me here. Calling the system of lobbied-for preferences and geographic quotas built into the US immigration system "meritocracy" is...amusing.

EnigmaFlare 2y ago

He can't build Rods From God for his personal use because the government won't allow it. Or are you suggesting he builds it then uses it to perform a one-man military coup on the US and disables all their defenses? That's complete nonsense.

TrapLord_Rhodo 2y ago
Give it some time, not only will the government allow it, they will pay for it.

WalterBright 2y ago

> but the unifying element is luck Smart people make their own luck. You don't get lucky posting on the internet. > Very few people have the means to even try to build SpaceX Musk didn't either - he created a series of companies, each one financed by the success of the previous one.

Dalewyn 2y ago

>Do you believe that being rich implies merit? To some degree, yes. You don't get rich by being incompetent, and even if you get a headstart with an inheritance or endowment you're still going to end up broke if you can't keep making money. >the unifying element is luck. Being in the right place at the right time with the right amount of money, and knowing the right people to bring it together. In Japan we say that luck is just another element of your abilities. We also like saying that you don't wait for miracles, you make them yourself. Considering that Japanese society has a fairly unambitious culture, them saying that should tell you something. >every day we move closer to that monopoly only existing because rich private citizens choose to allow it. The US government exists at the pleasure of the people, the US military serves in our interests at our pleasure. Government of the people, by the people, for the people as President Abraham Lincoln once said. Americans choosing to allow the US government is the system working exactly as intended.

pests 2y ago

Starlink is prepped to add ICBM launch sensors in select satellites and then potential "deactivation" measures. A global iron dome.

elintknower 2y ago

Yes, as a minority immigrant to the US, meritocracy is what got me here. Idk why americans are so obsessed with this air headed topic.

dragonwriter 2y ago
> Yes, as a minority immigrant to the US, meritocracy is what got me here. Calling the system of lobbied-for preferences and geographic quotas built into the US immigration system "meritocracy" is...amusing.