July 11, 2005
WHO'S GOING TO BREAK IT TO DARWIN?:
For all its resemblance to a state of nature, vibrant capitalism is largely a creature of benign government. -John E. King, Captive Notions: Concise Commentaries on the CommonplacePosted by Orrin Judd at July 11, 2005 11:20 PM
Intelligent Design?
Posted by: ghostcat at July 11, 2005 11:43 PMMr. Judd;
Of course, just like evolution is the creature of a benign universe. The key thing is to set up the basic rules and then let things happen on their own. I'm glad you've finally realized that this is why direct government intervention doesn't work.
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at July 11, 2005 11:54 PMWorked damn well for the railroads for about a century.
Posted by: ghostcat at July 11, 2005 11:57 PMAOG: I thought Evolution was bloody in tooth and claw, to quote Huxley, and certainly not benign.
Posted by: jd watson at July 12, 2005 5:56 AMJD:
It is when you want it to be. When you don't, it suddenly becomes cooperative and selfless.
Posted by: Peter B at July 12, 2005 6:21 AMPeter B:
It's both, of course, just as nations sometimes find it advantageous to work together, and sometimes more advantageous to compete with or even to eat another nation.
Posted by: Michael Herdegen at July 12, 2005 10:01 AMBesides, what AOG meant by "benign" was "able to support life", not "universe of the Lotus eaters".
Posted by: Michael Herdegen at July 12, 2005 10:05 AMjd;
Yes, evolution is bloody in tooth and claw. When did I say otherwise?
Mr. Judd;
Non-intervention.
Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at July 12, 2005 10:36 AMNon-malignant. Government is intervention.
Posted by: oj at July 12, 2005 10:47 AM