Re: extropians-digest V7 #150

From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Mon Jun 10 2002 - 10:23:38 MDT


Dossy wrote:
>
> 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.

On the contrary, if capitalism didn't encourage charity, then the
private citizens of the US would be the stingiest people on the planet.
The reverse seems to be the case, since US private charity chalks up
more in private donations for domestic and international charity work,
as a whole and per capita, than any other nation on earth, year in and
year out.

Just as slave labor doesn't promote high productivity, forced charity
(government taxation for welfare) also doesn't promote high levels of
altruism. It seems that voluntary charity produces far higher returns.



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