Credit where it isn't due
A good friend sent me an article today that was an interesting read. The crux of the article was that, while Steve Job's genius and willing to be "foolishly" creative contributed to Apple's success, the real credit goes to the government for subsidizing twelve particular technologies that Apple used in their products.
This excerpt presents these technologies, and the fact that their development was subsidized by the government, as if to say that they would not have been developed if the government had not been involved. On that basis, the government seems to get all of the credit for Apple's success. But, until someone invents a device to accurately peer into alternate timelines and universes, we can't know for certain how these technologies, or even better, might have been invented on their own. People have been inventing for tens of thousands of years. We're rather good at it.
Apple got to be big because their products were good, and their marketing is impressive. Other tech companies have used the same "government subsidized" technologies, but many have fallen by the wayside. Remember e-Machines? Once ranked fourth in US computer sales. Brand acquired first by Gateway, then Acer, then ultimately discontinued. Same fundamental technologies mentioned in this article, minus Siri: microprocessors, displays, hard drives, keyboard, mouse, internet.
The government gets too much credit for what is ultimately done by people.
My friend also asked about the libertarian claim that big companies get to be big because of government. When sharing libertarian views of economics, one challenge I have faced is from friends who say, "but we need big government to keep the evil big corporations in check!". My answer to that is, the large companies that are the most hated are very often in sectors where the few at the top of the heap can keep competitors at bay using lobbyists, regulations, and exclusive government contracts. Healthcare, banking, and telecommunications have some of the worst track records.
But I wouldn't say that all big companies are big because of the government. I am not aware that Blockbuster's rise or fall in the industry can be traced to government action. They became big because they filled a market hunger for convenient at-home entertainment, and they trickled away because others came along who fulfilled it better.
Supply and Demand. It's the Law.
This excerpt presents these technologies, and the fact that their development was subsidized by the government, as if to say that they would not have been developed if the government had not been involved. On that basis, the government seems to get all of the credit for Apple's success. But, until someone invents a device to accurately peer into alternate timelines and universes, we can't know for certain how these technologies, or even better, might have been invented on their own. People have been inventing for tens of thousands of years. We're rather good at it.
Apple got to be big because their products were good, and their marketing is impressive. Other tech companies have used the same "government subsidized" technologies, but many have fallen by the wayside. Remember e-Machines? Once ranked fourth in US computer sales. Brand acquired first by Gateway, then Acer, then ultimately discontinued. Same fundamental technologies mentioned in this article, minus Siri: microprocessors, displays, hard drives, keyboard, mouse, internet.
The government gets too much credit for what is ultimately done by people.
My friend also asked about the libertarian claim that big companies get to be big because of government. When sharing libertarian views of economics, one challenge I have faced is from friends who say, "but we need big government to keep the evil big corporations in check!". My answer to that is, the large companies that are the most hated are very often in sectors where the few at the top of the heap can keep competitors at bay using lobbyists, regulations, and exclusive government contracts. Healthcare, banking, and telecommunications have some of the worst track records.
But I wouldn't say that all big companies are big because of the government. I am not aware that Blockbuster's rise or fall in the industry can be traced to government action. They became big because they filled a market hunger for convenient at-home entertainment, and they trickled away because others came along who fulfilled it better.
Supply and Demand. It's the Law.
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