Comment by redwoolf | Hacker News Reader

Comment by redwoolf | Hacker News Reader

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> It incentivizes resource allocation most optimally, whatever optimality is within applied bounds.

Exactly. And in the current bounds the optimal allocation is more into the control of fewer. Also, capitalism is a zero sum game, thus the disincentive to give what you've got.

> By applying regulation and laws to the system, the bounds.

Sure. But those regulations and laws are being repealed or revised to be toothless. And there are many places on earth where laws have no meaning.

> And I can assume you're agreeing to pay the incredibly bloody tab destabilizing our society will have?

And capitalism doesn't have an incredibly bloody tab? Take a global perspective to see the many useless wars in the 20th and 21st century that have been fought to extend the market for capital.

Or consider that our planet is fucked by global warming thanks to "optimal resource allocation" which takes no account for long-term consequences, but only short term gains. Do you think that when the oceans rise, the plants die, and the water is too acidic to drink society won't be destabilized?

> capitalism is a zero sum game, thus the disincentive to give what you've got.

Only in a zero growth environment. And in one, which economic or political system is not a zero sum game?

> consider that our planet is fucked by global warming thanks to "optimal resource allocation" which takes no account for long-term consequences

Pricing in long-term consequences and accounting for externalities is arguably not a contradiction to capitalism (and I think we should absolutely do much better there).

Ideally we’d even account for the effects of societal unrest due to massive wealth inequalities or areas becoming unlivable due to the climate, or just the immorality of poverty if nothing else.

But that’s a political decision (what do we value how much) in the end, not one of economic systems. Who gets to decide that is determined by the political system, not the economic one. And corruption of political power can exist in all systems.

I’m not mad at what you’re saying. But politicians, in America at least, have no stomach for any such adjustments to the status quo.

sustainable positive growth must lead to pure attention economy which is a form of uncivil meme nepotism

> Also, capitalism is a zero sum game, thus the disincentive to give what you've got.

Bullshit. If this is the case:

1. We will still be stuck doing subsistence farming.

2. No trades will happen.

3. The economy will not grow or shrink.

This is so obviously wrong. Please learn basic economics before trying to "burn it all down": https://www.investopedia.com/terms/z/zero-sumgame.asp

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