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Ok, from the first "Is Profit Different from Unfair Tax?" thread:
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Still not exactly what I was looking for, but close.
The basic thought process is there: businessowner/inventor = lazy exploiter, who gets rich without doing "real" work.
-Arrian
quote:
Originally posted by Velociryx
7) yes, I am paid more (as measured in terms of raw, keepable output), because my invention redefined the industry, your efforts are limited to your own self, and are not macro in their view.
-=Vel=-
My efforts are not limited to myself. See you don't understand Adam Smith too well . Who produced the goods and services that you consumed while you sat around on your ass thinking up ways to exploit me? Did we both not work and contribute to society. Why should you be paid more?
Originally posted by Velociryx
7) yes, I am paid more (as measured in terms of raw, keepable output), because my invention redefined the industry, your efforts are limited to your own self, and are not macro in their view.
-=Vel=-
My efforts are not limited to myself. See you don't understand Adam Smith too well . Who produced the goods and services that you consumed while you sat around on your ass thinking up ways to exploit me? Did we both not work and contribute to society. Why should you be paid more?
quote:
Originally posted by Velociryx
What I do in my spare time is invent. I do that AFTER I go out and earn my keep. What you do in your spare time is your business, but it's not exploitive of me to make more financially productive use of MY time than you do of yours.
-=Vel=-
Then you should be compensated for that. You shouldn't become rich though just for putting in a few hours after work.
Originally posted by Velociryx
What I do in my spare time is invent. I do that AFTER I go out and earn my keep. What you do in your spare time is your business, but it's not exploitive of me to make more financially productive use of MY time than you do of yours.
-=Vel=-
Then you should be compensated for that. You shouldn't become rich though just for putting in a few hours after work.
quote:
Originally posted by Arrian
Not that this matters. In Kid's world, anyone who is more capable than him (smarter, handier, more insightful, willing to accept more risk, etc.) is an exploiter. They don't *deserve* to be wealthier than he is. Doesn't matter than you or I (or society at large) may value their contributions more than Kid's. Nope, doesn't matter at all. It's not fair, and Kid should get a piece of the pie because he works hard. Yep. Yessiree.
Interestingly, Adam Smith discusses innovation in the Wealth of Nations. There he shows how workers 'save' their labor. That is they find ways to become more productive. Curiously the incentive is to work less. However, I say he's naive there. It's probably just a matter of wanting to do a better job. The fact is that workers do constantly find ways to do their work more efficiently. Usually, this doesn't benefit them directly. It does benefit society as well as the owner.
And about sitting on your ass. No, invention sometimes requires standing and moving around. The point is that people do benefit from sitting on their ass and doing nothing. We call them capitalist pigdogs.
Originally posted by Arrian
Not that this matters. In Kid's world, anyone who is more capable than him (smarter, handier, more insightful, willing to accept more risk, etc.) is an exploiter. They don't *deserve* to be wealthier than he is. Doesn't matter than you or I (or society at large) may value their contributions more than Kid's. Nope, doesn't matter at all. It's not fair, and Kid should get a piece of the pie because he works hard. Yep. Yessiree.
Interestingly, Adam Smith discusses innovation in the Wealth of Nations. There he shows how workers 'save' their labor. That is they find ways to become more productive. Curiously the incentive is to work less. However, I say he's naive there. It's probably just a matter of wanting to do a better job. The fact is that workers do constantly find ways to do their work more efficiently. Usually, this doesn't benefit them directly. It does benefit society as well as the owner.
And about sitting on your ass. No, invention sometimes requires standing and moving around. The point is that people do benefit from sitting on their ass and doing nothing. We call them capitalist pigdogs.
The basic thought process is there: businessowner/inventor = lazy exploiter, who gets rich without doing "real" work.
-Arrian
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