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Comment by MetaWhirledPeas

1 year ago

> Keep it private and closely held

Yep. I know this is probably a bit revisionist (old-timey inventors wanted to get rich quick too) but it feels like companies used to more often be geared toward longevity, not ascendance, and I don't see how they could achieve longevity while constantly trying to make shareholders rich. Longevity really should be up there on the list of goals, with security and prosperity for all those involved.

I suppose a meat grinder growfast company could invent world-improving products that justify employee churn and abuse, but those would be unicorns with diamond encrusted horns.

What is the point of any of our actions if they don't benefit people?

The story of GE under Jack Welch and his underlings that spread out from there is horrifying. Boeing got caught up in it with the MD reverse acquisition. There was an audiobook I listened to recently that covered a bunch of this but I can't for the life of me find the title right now.