3 ms·

Welfare may discourage ambition among the low- and middle-classes, but I don't believe it affects scientists or inventors. No one is debating the choice betwee

• guylhem 14y ago
  Let's talk about scientists and inventors - especially the world changing ones that are so rare. What if it had some effect? I mean, something small - but non zero? What if it did reduce their drive just enough that it made their rarity almost identical to an absence? Answer- we don't know. So far, the welfare state seems to have increased scientific output, but maybe there's a limit and too much welfare will damage it. (Think about Einstein on welfare with enough money not to care- would he have spent time as a patent office clerk? How important was this stint in becoming himself? What effect does it has on others?) We just don't know - maybe because the welfare state is too recent. With 50 more years, maybe we will notice differences? I'm only speculating - I'm not sure there is any answer. It's just something that bothering me a lot.