Doing Words: The $700M razorblade: extreme capitalism is still extremism
Steven Noble
· 2 months ago
$700m probably isn't much to spend on refining a product that many of the 3 billion males on earth either use or will aspire to use as prosperity spreads.
But yes, I agree with you -- extremism is a problem in any ideology. Just think of the Spanish Inquisition, the Cultural Revolution, etc etc.
What we need is pluralism -- multiple centres of power and opinion, all jostling for influence. In this regard, capitalism does have one advantage over its opposite, communism, in that capitalism advocates a continual jostling for power between business owners, even if -- in its extreme form -- capitalism doesn't support jostling bewteen business owners and other centres of power and opinion like government, unions, and green and consumer groups.
alan jones
· 2 months ago
Dude, I'd guesstimate <10% of global clean-shaven population shaves with a latest-gen razor! Costs more than most earn in a month. Then there's the bearded cultures. $700M to stay infinitesimally less stubbly for another few hours? Doesn't stack up as a rational spend.
Steven Noble
· 2 months ago
You obviously haven't met my silky smooth chin, thanks to the wonderful Gilette 3000...
They've bought your opinion too! You and Tiger Woods! OMG!
Marc Lehmann
· 2 months ago
Totally agree on the inefficiencies of capitalism. If you want to see wastage just look at banks. Why do we need 1000's of banks all doing nearly the same functions for society. Billions, maybe trillions of wasted activity and dollars. I used to work in that sector and it constantly felt wrong. It felt like I was probably the only social capitalist in that village!
alan jones
· 2 months ago
Good heavens, that's dangerous talk Marc! But I agree totally. There's no evidence that Australia's 'four pillars' banking policy has delivered any cost or efficiency savings for Australians. Indeed, I have good friends in snr positions in one of the Big Four who'll cheerfully admit the exact opposite is true.
Plus, a smaller number of banks would mean fewer data feeds that Saasu would need to integrate with ;-)
All Comments
But yes, I agree with you -- extremism is a problem in any ideology. Just think of the Spanish Inquisition, the Cultural Revolution, etc etc.
What we need is pluralism -- multiple centres of power and opinion, all jostling for influence. In this regard, capitalism does have one advantage over its opposite, communism, in that capitalism advocates a continual jostling for power between business owners, even if -- in its extreme form -- capitalism doesn't support jostling bewteen business owners and other centres of power and opinion like government, unions, and green and consumer groups.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjEKt5Izwbo
Plus, a smaller number of banks would mean fewer data feeds that Saasu would need to integrate with ;-)