[ale] [OT] Fewer DSL providers?

[aaron]

On Thursday 20 February 2003 18:48, Calvin Harrigan wrote:
> http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030220/telecoms_fcc_broadband_1.html
>
> According to this link from slashdot, the discussions that have been
> going on recently on the list about choosing dsl providers may all be
> moot.
>
> Calvin

We can expect this provider situation will quickly become another historically 
consistent demonstration of the fatal flaws of capitalist theory. Without 
external regulatory controls (like... say... a legitimate democratic 
government of the citizens operating independent of corporate corruptions)  
unfettered and unethical greed will inevitably undermine fair competition and 
the free market arena will devolve into monopoly. This systemic failure is 
somewhat dependent on market size exceeding provincial scales, but the 
breakdown seems guaranteed at any scale when a market dependency on 
proprietary product compatibilities or networks is present.

Of course, where external regulating agencies exist, the keys to sustaining 
monopoly have simply become matters of criminal conspiracy, bribery and 
extortion.

Just a modest personal observation, of course. :-)
Links to numerous supporting viewpoints on the topic from more formally 
credentialed observers can be found here:
http://www.hiraeth.com/alan/ebulletin/network-effects/network-effects.html

peace
(after justice)
aaron


==================================
"Those who would give up essential liberty
  to purchase a little temporary safety
  deserve neither liberty or safety."
                                    - Benjamin Franklin
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