11–20 of 461 posts
A tldr on this one would actually be appreciated. :-)
The conditions have disappeared, so the economic and social order is unraveling.
Let’s acknowledge the issue and let that acknowledgment guide our policy decisions. We want this golden age back(?).
He takes the easy way out on the war theory: It would be awful, of course, so let's not think about it. But think about it. Would historical WWII be possible in today's United States? Introduce the draft and send current US population off to die in Europe? I think you'd see intense levels of political resistance, draft dodging and desertion in the field. Fragmentation means you probably can't unite the whole country…
However, after pearl harbor, the average citizen took a blow and was more than willing to fight. They wanted to protect their homes, and they felt if they didn't the Japanese would bring the fight to them.
As Graham's piece concludes; if we don't do something, we'll get into trouble.
- « Terrific work causes us to think of additional questions. »
http://meaningness.com/meaningness-history
That's the intro for a series of posts listed at the bottom.
Here's a "gigantic chart that explains everything": http://meaningness.com/modes-chart
Here's "systems of meaning all in flames": http://meaningness.com/systems-crisis-breakdown
At least this trend is one that individual programmers can choose to resist, assuming we don't have to move to Silicon Valley or Seattle to get good jobs. I, for one, don't have any desire to leave my home town of Wichita, Kansas.
"Obviously the spread of computing power was a precondition for the rise of startups." If you live in San Francisco (or are visiting) you can visit the USS Pampanito - a retired WWII submarine.[1] One thing I think you will notice is the manufacturers plaques attached to every little piece of equipment in the submarine ... every one of them the plaque of some tiny little supplier that you have never heard of . Some l…
This concept of small manufacturers that excel in their niche has been the oldest business model in history.
Especially in Japan and Germany many companies have existed for over a millenium like that, and even today half of the made profits are by small, (50 people or less) companies that are hidden champions.
You probably never heard of http://www.walterwerk.com/en/, but they’re the world’s leader in machines that produce ice cream cones.
As you said, it’s not just since computers that these companies existed – they’ve existed for centuries.
But what is different this time is that for the first time investors are trying to invest in these small businesses, and try to make a huge profit out of them.
"Obviously the spread of computing power was a precondition for the rise of startups." If you live in San Francisco (or are visiting) you can visit the USS Pampanito - a retired WWII submarine.[1] One thing I think you will notice is the manufacturers plaques attached to every little piece of equipment in the submarine ... every one of them the plaque of some tiny little supplier that you have never heard of . Some l…
[1] I get my impression of economists from EconTalk by Russ Roberts.