Linked by David Adams on Tue 29th Sep 2009 14:53 UTC
In the News Forbes has an interesting article that attempts to push Crowdsourcing off its pedestal by pointing out that "crowds" don't actually invent or create anything; individuals do. What the crowdsourcing phenomenon does is put an opportunity in front of a large number of people, some of whom may be uniquely suited to solve a particular problem or achieve a particular goal. The article goes on to discuss Open Source Software, and points out that Open Source's success isn't because of crowds of anonymous people, but the largely the efforts of identifiable virtuosos.
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Seems to come up a lot
by Yamin on Tue 29th Sep 2009 16:06 UTC
Yamin
Member since:
2006-01-10

It came out on House the tv show this week.
Basically he left his job as super diagnostic doctor. His old team struggles to treat a patient who is computer savvy.
The patient sends out emails and posting to see if anyone on the 'web' can diagnose him.
In the end, it turns out House (the great expert) posts the answer.

I don't want to get too political... yet I will because I have met many hi-tech folks who are obsessed with crowds. It is to an extent an obsessive belief in democracy... that everything would be okay if we just voted on everything.

I'm much more of the belief in freedom as opposed to democracy. The idea being... if you have a good idea... get out there, get funding, and do it. Then you will have proven your idea is good.

The current alternative is a bunch of bureaucrats backed by the crowed will decide what will be done, take the resources by force (taxation) and then tell the workers what to do.

v RE: Seems to come up a lot
by Moulinneuf on Tue 29th Sep 2009 17:20 in reply to "Seems to come up a lot"
RE[2]: Seems to come up a lot
by Yamin on Tue 29th Sep 2009 20:14 in reply to "RE: Seems to come up a lot"
Yamin Member since:
2006-01-10

1. I have nothing against open source. Linux is a great example of someone getting out there and just doing it (linus).

But let us recall how Linux was created. It was the vision on one nutty guy (linus) who wanted to do something.

It was not a crowd of people who collaboratively thought how they can create a new operating system.

2. If you don't think taxes are taken by force, then... go ahead and try not paying taxes. See what happens to you. I have a hunch force will be used.

You might think taxes are needed and good for the 'public'. That is fine as far as politics goes, but at least have the honestly to admit they are taken by force, at the barrel of the police force's gun. That every dollar of taxation is a police officer with a gun pointed at my head demanding I pay them.

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 3

RE: Seems to come up a lot
by Soulbender on Wed 30th Sep 2009 09:55 in reply to "Seems to come up a lot"
Soulbender Member since:
2005-08-18

I'm much more of the belief in freedom as opposed to democracy.


I'm almost beginning to think that benevolent dictatorship is the only way to go.
Of course, the one big problem with that is actually finding an incorruptible benevolent dictator.

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RE[2]: Seems to come up a lot
by BluenoseJake on Wed 30th Sep 2009 10:06 in reply to "RE: Seems to come up a lot"
BluenoseJake Member since:
2005-08-11

Do you have a number I can fax my resume to?

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 3

RE[2]: Seems to come up a lot
by rirmak on Wed 30th Sep 2009 12:54 in reply to "RE: Seems to come up a lot"
rirmak Member since:
2009-06-23

Torvalds?

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 1

RE[2]: Seems to come up a lot
by wannabe geek on Wed 30th Sep 2009 23:00 in reply to "RE: Seems to come up a lot"
wannabe geek Member since:
2006-09-27

How about market anarchy? This is SO off-topic, I know. Back to reading mises.org ;)

Reply Parent Bookmark Score: 2