From: Dossy (dossy@panoptic.com)
Date: Sun Jun 09 2002 - 18:36:19 MDT
On 2002.06.09, Harvey Newstrom <mail@HarveyNewstrom.com> wrote:
> I don't see why you imply that we have to choose between an extropian
> economic model or capitalism. I always thought they were infinitely
> compatible.
I happen to think that charity work (done properly) is very extropian
yet capitalism doesn't reward charity work -- I might even be inclined
to argue that it deters people from doing such things.
A free market capitalist system rewards those who are the best at
maximizing price while minimizing cost within the tolerances that the
market will bear. In other words, getting less while paying more.
Sometimes, we look and say, "Gee, that's not true. McDonalds offers
a really great hamburger for a low price!" don't you think if they
thought people would pay more for the same burger, they would have
priced it higher originally? Or, if they thought people would pay
for a lower quality burger, they would have sold even worse food?
Others might argue that "you don't go to McDonalds for the food --
you go for the fast food and the bright smiles -- the service."
Fine, now we're moving away from the view of a product-driven
economy to a service-driven one. This is good, because this is
closer to reality ...
So, if we accept that as consumers we hardly buy products but
instead really buy services -- we don't reward people who offer
better service for less cost. The better the service, generally,
the more people will accept a higher cost: so, why would you ever
price the service lower than what the market will bear?
In the end, it's not the entire market that will bear that price,
only the majority (or, whatever percentage of it that you are
targeting). In the end, you're segregating the population into
Us and Them, the Haves and the Have Nots -- your customers who
can afford your service ... and everyone else.
My opinion is that extropy isn't something that can be selectively
increased for specific individuals. It's a measure of "something"
of the population as a whole. Free market capitalism certainly
increases "something" but I say whatever that "something" is,
isn't extropy.
-- Dossy
--
Dossy Shiobara mail: dossy@panoptic.com
Panoptic Computer Network web: http://www.panoptic.com/
"He realized the fastest way to change is to laugh at your own
folly -- then you can let go and quickly move on." (p. 70)
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