*
Optimizing until the end.
It’s amazing when someone articulates something you’ve been thinking about for years and you never quite hit the nail on the head. Here one word suffices, and that is “optimize.”
Not that I am a great student of economic literature, but in general discussions of economics, and especially capitalism. It’s always irritated me that the discussions don’t seem to delve deeply into the realities of the systems we live in and pretty much avoid the downsides.
That is capitalism may be the greatest thing since sliced bread. But that is so far. That does not mean it’s great for a good portion of society. One of the truisms is there are winners and losers in capitalism. It is not a zero-sum game. Where are we headed?
Many argue that that’s just the way it is and that on the whole capitalism has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, or at least raised their standard of living greatly over the last 30 years.
I am always trying to get someone to say how do we improve the system. Where do we go from here?
So, so far, the system has had great success compared to all others in the modern era, but to a point. Have we reached a point of diminishing returns? This is what is striking about this conversation in the video where I heard about optimizing. The link is at the end.
For the most part, capitalism is optimized by the goal of maximizing profit.
Besides fulfilling many of the characteristics of psychopathic behavior capitalism then also, in terms of optimizing it, takes on the traits of obsessive-compulsive disease.
As stated, in the video, things get better and better, and then they start getting worse. The obsessive-compulsive can start out improving productivity but then, of course, can become too focused on one aspect and neglect the larger picture. One example mentioned is the veracious appetite capitalism has for natural resources.
You are seeing this right now, in many ways, in a virtual collapse of much of the US healthcare system. The for-profit system is beginning to cannibalize itself. Insurance companies are the dominant force, followed by individual greed and avarice. It is optimized for profit. Or, least it is going to die trying.
Things are out of control: I read the other day that Massachusetts General had a $500 million deficit last year despite being a world-class hospital, in demand, with the latest technology, and an  enormous patient base. How can I lose money?
Such a clear idea: things get better, and then they get worse due to the optimization of a single-minded goal. In this case profit.
And as pointed out capitalism and AI meld.
No comments:
Post a Comment