MasterFubar t1_isezt8n wrote
Reply to comment by AdditionalPizza in We've all heard the trope that to be a billionaire you essentially have to be a sociopath; Could we cure that? Is there hope? by AdditionalPizza
> They hoard wealth in terms of general wealth, power, value, influence. They have a need to perpetually obtain more and more market share. They have an obsession to do whatever it takes to be on top of everyone around them.
There are people like that, yes, but it would be even worse without a free market. Look at Russia, North Korea, Cuba, China, etc. Economic power and political power should be separate entities, kept as far away from each other as possible.
But, of course, there are people who love power, they will work to achieve power, be it through political or economic ways, whatever is available.
The free market works so well because it's distributed intelligence. Every person makes their own choices. You can shop at Amazon or Walmart or at your favorite local shop, the decision is yours. I, for one, wouldn't want an AI making such decisions for me.
Where AI could make a big improvement would be in government. There are systems where we have no choice. The government is in charge of fixing the potholes in my street, if an AI took care of that it would be a welcome improvement.
AdditionalPizza OP t1_isf8xuh wrote
Well capitalism strongly encourages economic powers to influence political powers. So much so, that to call what we have now as "decent" would be a stretch.
The free market only works because it's the best option we have, or at least that we came up with. And there's no opt out, so those of us at the bottom are kind of stuck being pushed further and further down. I would call our current system a system with no choice, at least for almost everyone.
Capitalism won't work forever, or even much longer most likely. Well, not if we're assuming a transformative AI is a matter of years away.
MasterFubar t1_isfes18 wrote
> capitalism strongly encourages economic powers to influence political powers.
That's not how capitalism works. Everyone who actually manages a company would prefer to keep the government at a distance.
> those of us at the bottom are kind of stuck being pushed further and further down.
People at the bottom can join each other and work together. They can form a cooperative or any other organization they want.
AdditionalPizza OP t1_isfjhy1 wrote
>That's not how capitalism works. Everyone who actually manages a company would prefer to keep the government at a distance.
You think CEO's aren't in bed with politicians? You're describing capitalism on paper, it's nothing like it was 100 years ago. Sure companies hate when politicians stifle their progress, but campaigns are funded by the wealthy.
MasterFubar t1_isfju1r wrote
They must adapt to the political situation, but every one of them would prefer less government, if you asked them.
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