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Rent seeking for rentseeking's sake makes it one of the worst inventions. It could have been useful if it didn't need a coin to use. It should be removed. What

Rent seeking for rentseeking's sake makes it one of the worst inventions. It could have been useful if it didn't need a coin to use. It should be removed. What are local governments for? I have my own zoom monocular/binocular, and am way happier, although I have to find a surface against which to hold it steady.

derektank 2mo ago
I don’t think this is a good example of rent seeking, this seems like an entirely positive sum interaction with no attempts to restrict the supply. There is a cost to installing the binoculars. That cost can be recouped by people paying a small fee to use the binoculars. The binoculars are in no way impeding your view of the scenery, so no one is being coerced into making the purchase. You aren’t prevented from bringing your own pair of binoculars. So you're only going to be spending your spare change on the enhanced zoom if you believe it’s worth more than your unimpeded view. You get a view you wouldn’t have had otherwise, whoever installed the binoculars earns a small profit. Win-win.
- scuppernong 2mo ago
  how do they obtain the prime real estate at a scenic overlook?
  - anamax 2mo ago
    Presumably they pay the local govt. Note that said "prime real estate" is not exclusive; it doesn't reduce your ability to enjoy said scenic overlook for free.
- OutOfHere 2mo ago
  The same real estate should've been used by the respective local government to offer viewing sites for everyone to benefit. Also, sometimes the device doesn't work right, effectively stealing money or pointlessly taking up space.
  - ChickeNES 2mo ago
    Are you just looking for something to be mad at?
    - OutOfHere 2mo ago
      In this case, the grievance feels legitimate. Nature is an opportunity for people to feel more connected to the planet, to feel more at peace, and we're ruining it with pointless capitalism. Kids love to see through binoculars and often they don't have the money to pay for a viewing. Imagine a world where the usage was free, making people happier.
viccis 2mo ago
That's not what rent seeking means.

derektank 2mo ago

I don’t think this is a good example of rent seeking, this seems like an entirely positive sum interaction with no attempts to restrict the supply. There is a cost to installing the binoculars. That cost can be recouped by people paying a small fee to use the binoculars. The binoculars are in no way impeding your view of the scenery, so no one is being coerced into making the purchase. You aren’t prevented from bringing your own pair of binoculars. So you're only going to be spending your spare change on the enhanced zoom if you believe it’s worth more than your unimpeded view. You get a view you wouldn’t have had otherwise, whoever installed the binoculars earns a small profit. Win-win.

scuppernong 2mo ago
how do they obtain the prime real estate at a scenic overlook?
- anamax 2mo ago
  Presumably they pay the local govt. Note that said "prime real estate" is not exclusive; it doesn't reduce your ability to enjoy said scenic overlook for free.
OutOfHere 2mo ago
The same real estate should've been used by the respective local government to offer viewing sites for everyone to benefit. Also, sometimes the device doesn't work right, effectively stealing money or pointlessly taking up space.
- ChickeNES 2mo ago
  Are you just looking for something to be mad at?
  - OutOfHere 2mo ago
    In this case, the grievance feels legitimate. Nature is an opportunity for people to feel more connected to the planet, to feel more at peace, and we're ruining it with pointless capitalism. Kids love to see through binoculars and often they don't have the money to pay for a viewing. Imagine a world where the usage was free, making people happier.

viccis 2mo ago

That's not what rent seeking means.