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Money is not a representation of value. It is a representation of desire. I agree that, in principle, an economy does not have to be set up as a zero sum game, and at smaller scales (many of us don't realize that 1 billion is relatively small for global scale economics), it really doesn't have to be. I agree that value can be created. But value doesn't run this economy, desire does. And sometimes desire runs totally counter to what is _actually_ valuable.

Not to mention that, especially in a fiat environment where currency is printed out of thin air, it is literally a zero-sum game by definition. When the printer winds up, the bankers win big at everyone elses expense; setting the tone for the entire market. Anecdotal success stories of hard working, honest billionaires is a nice distraction, but that's all it is.

The substantive reality of the status quo is one of unprecedented levels of extraction, and as we continue down this AI power consildation story, that will be harder and harder to deny as we go forward. If you happen to win big as an outlier, more power to you, but the article even admits to the rarity of this story implicity. 20 years. thousands of companies. 30 billionaires.

Even if every single one of those people are honest to goodness saints, that's only slightly better odds, perhaps, than winning the lottery.


Don't forget this is from the group of people who get an extraordinary helping hand in the form of YC and all that represents, and of businesses hand picked to be the most likely successes. And even then, it's still just winning the lottery.


Almost as though open source software isn't a "roll your own government" adventure...


Nix is just following open source best practices (but those practices have a hidden bias that you will regret later).


Yep. Cause this last one just went so well no controversy (allowed) at all...


Seems a bit hypocritical to write an article critical of "power-over" and then end on a note that essentially suggest giving "power over" others to the supposedly and self labeled marginalized.

Let's not forget, the truly marginalized don't have voiced to speak up themselves, in the majority of cases.


Sad that we have to waste so much time an energy on something that is fairly obvious


Solar and wind are detrimental to the environment in their own respects, and will never generate enough energy to solve the problem :D


You need to back that up with numbers, because mine say otherwise. Ireland (of all places) has sizeable renewable running and solar roofs have government subsidies.


Yes because poor Nintendo doesn't have enough money, they need a perpetual debt slave as well.


The money is irrelevant. An example to deter future attempts is what this is. They are crucifying this guy in the most cruel manner they could and spread the news as much as they can for a reason.


All it does is make it so that piracy devices will only be made in lawless countries, such as the recently released MIG switch.


Oh now companies want to invoke the first amendment. What a joke.


Huh? Companies have successfully invoked the first amendment over and over again.


What a fucking dumbass


Do I have to be retiring?

The worst thing about my profession is the historical ignorance, willful dishonesty, egotism and shear cowardice of individuals who have far too much influence over the rest of society to be any of these things.

Guess what I do?


Lawyer / legal professional


Politician? Corporate executive?


Academia?? Professor??


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