Re: Smart Mobs

From: Lee Daniel Crocker (lee@piclab.com)
Date: Thu Jul 18 2002 - 15:21:55 MDT


> (Brian D Williams <talon57@well.com>):
>
> I have decided that some of my ideas are not free and unless I can
> profit from them I see no reason to reveal them.
>
> Sometimes a secret is better than a patent. Take Coca-Cola for
> example, it's essence is still a closely guarded secret, and Coke
> continues to profit.
>
> I'll give you another example.

On these points we are in total agreement--I absolutely support
the fundamental human right to keep secrets, over and above what
is legally allowed in our present system.

> Let's say I can lick the remaining problems and find the funding to
> actually finish the development of my little CNC derived
> Nanolithographic assembler I call a nanoprinter.
>
> The world will never hear of it, no article will ever appear in any
> journal. Brian's magic box will sit quietly at home turning carbon
> into small (less than 1.5 carat) diamonds complete with random
> microflaws (perfect stones would attract attention and possibly
> reveal the tech) which will be turned into a quietly handsome
> profit by myself and my Hasidic associates.
>
> Lack of IP can inhibit societies advancement.

...until someone else invents it and is more public about it.
Let's not pretend that any of us--even the smartest--will ever
have any idea that is so unique and special that no one else
will ever have the same one. My guess is that you probably
would be in a position to make yourself rich within your lifetime,
but that the rest of us will catch up pretty quick. All the
quicker if the hundreds of foundation inventions that inspired
you are also available to us without encumbrance.

-- 
Lee Daniel Crocker <lee@piclab.com> <http://www.piclab.com/lee/>
"All inventions or works of authorship original to me, herein and past,
are placed irrevocably in the public domain, and may be used or modified
for any purpose, without permission, attribution, or notification."--LDC


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