(2009-08-20) Rushkoff Vs Economics

Douglas Rushkoff say We must stop perpetuating the fiction that existence itself is dictated by the immutable laws of Economics. These so-called laws are, in actuality, the economic mechanisms of 13th Century monarchs. Some of us analyzing digital culture and its impact on business must reveal economics as the artificial construction it really is. Although it may be subjected to the scientific method and mathematical scrutiny, it is not a Natural Science; it is Game Theory, with a set of underlying assumptions that have little to do with anything resembling genetics, neurology, evolution, or natural systems. He slags various writers/thinkers like Stewart Brand and Clay Shirky for serving Corporatist masters by trying to help them how to maintain Artificial Scarcity within the Network Economy (no reference to the Wealth Of Networks).

George Dyson suggests Launch a new financial medium that is as open, scale-free, universally accessible, self-improving, and non-proprietary as the Internet, and leave the 13th century behind.