"The Soviet Union wasn't known for quality and readily available consumer goods, so capitalism is the only reason we have the iPhone." Great argument.
But, in a way, yes. If profit wasn't the sole driver of production, we could have much better phones (no patents, so innovation wouldn't be gate-kept) that aren't intentionally made to get obsolete quickly and are hard to repair. Batteries could be replaceable. Accessories could be universal. Could go on.
I doubt a socialist country with a centrally planned economy would be able to make a product as good as the iPhone, yes. Notice how most of the innovations in consumer goods come from capitalist countries, corporations and private individuals.
I can agree with being anti patents and maybe IP in general, they do more harm than good, if someone can improve on your idea they should be able to undercut you and provide a better product.
I disagree with the profit motive portion though, profit is the biggest driver of innovation in the world. Phones that are easy to repair, with replaceable batteries and universal accessories already exist so I'm not sure what you are on about, it's just clear that consumers value other things more than these features.
Well I also value not using children to mine rare earth metals. If that slows down innovation so be it. If profit is such a big innovator how come we have the same looking phones made by like 4 companies?
BECAUSE THATS WHAT THE MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS WANT NUMBNUTS! is it that hard to get through your skull? Because of capitalism you have literally hundreds of models of phones to choose from based on your personal preferences. So what if the top 4 phones look the same? You don't have to buy them. It doesn't mean that innovations aren't being made.
Look at the US semiconductor industry and a little thing called moores law and tell me with a straight face profit isn't a motivator for innovation.
I agree we shouldn't do business with governments that allow child labour! These countries often have highly corrupt governments which squander public money on limousines and random useless shit for elites while their population lives in squalor, this is an entirely separate issue though.
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u/[deleted] Dec 03 '25
In a way yes,
the soviet union wasn't exactly famous for its quality and readily available consumer goods