Quote:
Originally posted by PHmike@Dec 7 2002, 05:15 AM
However....Look at all the patent infringement stuff going on. When the spoils go to those who know how to game the system ( PanIP ) rather than those you are actually creating value...it is a sign of decline/ossification
-mike
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Would you care to point out societies in which this was an indication of decline? What is the full argument? Is this a leading indicator? Companies and individuals playing the system is NOT new. It is ancient. Witness the monopolies of early America. Rockefeller and Carnegie were players extraordinaire in this regard.
Some people think America has become immoral and is therefore in decline. Some even refer to the "moral crisis" in America. I think they're talking about us! If you want to find something wrong with any country or political system from your particular point of view, you will.
I've heard from some people that think America is in trouble because people watch more television than they used to. Well, TV is better than it used to be. It's not like people were spending their spare time sitting around working out physics problems for fun in the first place.
Things change. Times change. Change is not equivalent to decline.
Personally, I look around and see an extremely busy consumer driven society and an improving style of life. America has great entertainment and the weapons to protect it.
Ossification? Do you mean ossification of technology, political system or what?