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There are differing views on how to run an economy. I think most of us here see an After Capitalism future. But we’re not the mainstream. Here, my friends, is the [dying?] mainstream: “OpenAI chased purpose without profit.”
The piece criticizes OpenAI for pursuing purpose without profit. It reminds us that in capitalism, it should be the other way around – profit is what matters most. Before we go any deeper, let’s just hold this thought for a second. How has humanity “evolved” to a point where this kind of view is mainstream thinking? It is certainly understandable in the context of today’s game, but is this the best we can do?
The article goes on to criticize OpenAI for being “started as a nonprofit, dedicated to deploying AI ‘for the benefit of all’ and to avoiding uses of AI that will ‘unduly concentrate power.’” That seems like a pretty noble purpose to me. A quick note is that when ChatGPT (an OpenAI product) became initially popular I did a post suggesting “What if we made the winner, or proactively created, a utility of ChatGPT.” My bad in not knowing at the time that this was indeed pretty close to the original purpose!
It gets better. “A new technology with massive value for society should make the people who invent it wealthy and will concentrate power in their hands. That’s how capitalism works.” This is the paradigm we are up against. Nothing more needs to be said here.
But that isn’t even the best part. “The OpenAI battle also clearly reminds us where power lies in today’s economy. The vast majority of OpenAI employees—more than 90%—have signed a letter demanding Sam Altman be reinstalled as CEO.” Read this again. Now this tells me that After Capitalism is already emerging. Note that 90% of the employees – “where power lies in today’s economy” – support the vision of the founder, who wanted to make it free. Now maybe those 90% see the dollar signs and that Sam provides the best chance of cashing in. But I’d venture that at least some if not most value the original purpose. We’ve talked a lot about values shifts here. To me, this piece perfectly captures the declining modern values of winners- and-losers, and misses, denies, or simply rejects the emerging values of win-win. — Andy Hines
NOTE: Ironically, the piece is behind a firewall. You can subscribe an email feed.
sorry, got to disagree once again. the goal of capitalism is enable endeavors that require large capital investments to develop and/or operate. the endeavors have the ambition of earning a profit. and they earn a profit by serving others – by providing value that would otherwise go unrealized.
conflating capitalism with human motives, free markets, greed, etc. adds complexity that disguise reality.
If someone wants to provide a tool like OpenAI at no charge, their motive is still some form of self-gain. The fact that the motive might not have been tangible financial gain doesn’t make it less egocentric.
I can’t speak for what Sam Altman’s actual motives are. He may have a sinister master plan he is hiding from everyone.
I would challenge your statement saying that humans cannot have a non-selfish or non-egocentric motives, re: “If someone wants to provide a tool like OpenAI at no charge, their motive is still some form of self-gain. The fact that the motive might not have been tangible financial gain doesn’t make it less egocentric.”
i base the statement on Austrian economic view that every moment, every human is seeking a the most desirable outcome, where their world is less desirable upon attainment… thus always an angle of self-interest…
“less undesirable”