What, if any, role should government play in stifling or fostering disruptive technologies?

[pmbug]

This is not a red v blue question. This is a philosophical question about the proper role of government.

There are some markets where we see the effects of technology evolving over time:

• Music industry - 8 track, cassette/LP, CD, MP3 - My understanding is that the internet and MP3 technology has disrupted the modern music industry model of labels-radio controlling everything.
• Video - From VCRs to DVRs to streaming, Network tv to cable channels, the delivery and consumption of video media has changed a lot in recent years.

I'm sure if I spent more time noodling it, I could come up with more examples, but these are examples of tech that evolved over time.

Wikipedia describes disruptive technology as one that dramatically transforms (or revolutionizes) a certain industry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disruptive_innovation

There are some examples of technology that are being developed right now that have the potential to disrupt existing, entrenched industries/markets:

• Clean energy - from power generation and storage to the auto industry, government is currently subsidizing (fostering) growth of green energy technologies
• Crypto - as a potential competitor for banking and financial services (TradFi), crypto (DeFi) is currently struggling with government efforts to stifle growth
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) - This one seems to have gotten out in front of government for the moment, but government is looking to put a yoke on it

Should government be intervening in markets and picking winners and losers?

 

[CaptUSA]

This is not a red v blue question. This is a philosophical question about the proper role of government.

There are some markets where we see the effects of technology evolving over time:

• Music industry - 8 track, cassette/LP, CD, MP3 - My understanding is that the internet and MP3 technology has disrupted the modern music industry model of labels-radio controlling everything.
• Video - From VCRs to DVRs to streaming, Network tv to cable channels, the delivery and consumption of video media has changed a lot in recent years.

I'm sure if I spent more time noodling it, I could come up with more examples, but these are examples of tech that evolved over time.

Wikipedia describes disruptive technology as one that dramatically transforms (or revolutionizes) a certain industry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disruptive_innovation

There are some examples of technology that are being developed right now that have the potential to disrupt existing, entrenched industries/markets:

• Clean energy - from power generation and storage to the auto industry, government is currently subsidizing (fostering) growth of green energy technologies
• Crypto - as a potential competitor for banking and financial services (TradFi), crypto (DeFi) is currently struggling with government efforts to stifle growth
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) - This one seems to have gotten out in front of government for the moment, but government is looking to put a yoke on it

I do believe there is a role for government in exploration and scientific inquiry. A very small and limited role. Any information gathered must be turned over to the general public free of charge (since they already paid for it). Further, any information provided can not and should not be patentable. That would keep government on the "R" side and the market on the "D" side of R&D.

I understand the libertarian arguments against that, but I can see a role for government as an information clearinghouse. A large library of information that any American can access. And with that comes exploration to increase the knowledge base. No censorship. No favoritism. Just data collection and presentment.

Should government be intervening in markets and picking winners and losers?

Absolutely not. The market should dictate which technologies are most economical and acceptable.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

This is not a red v blue question. This is a philosophical question about the proper role of government.

There are some markets where we see the effects of technology evolving over time:

• Music industry - 8 track, cassette/LP, CD, MP3 - My understanding is that the internet and MP3 technology has disrupted the modern music industry model of labels-radio controlling everything.
• Video - From VCRs to DVRs to streaming, Network tv to cable channels, the delivery and consumption of video media has changed a lot in recent years.

I'm sure if I spent more time noodling it, I could come up with more examples, but these are examples of tech that evolved over time.

Wikipedia describes disruptive technology as one that dramatically transforms (or revolutionizes) a certain industry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disruptive_innovation

There are some examples of technology that are being developed right now that have the potential to disrupt existing, entrenched industries/markets:

• Clean energy - from power generation and storage to the auto industry, government is currently subsidizing (fostering) growth of green energy technologies
• Crypto - as a potential competitor for banking and financial services (TradFi), crypto (DeFi) is currently struggling with government efforts to stifle growth
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) - This one seems to have gotten out in front of government for the moment, but government is looking to put a yoke on it

Should government be intervening in markets and picking winners and losers?

Government has one interest in new technology, and that is controlling it. Thus, the entire concept of government being involved is corrupt and illegitimate right from the start.

 

[oyarde]

fed govt cant even do something simple like secure a border or eliminate medicare fraud so they are not going to be competent to stifle or foster an industry . Industries typically make something , govt makes nothing positive.

 

[pmbug]

fed govt ... are not going to be competent to stifle or foster an industry ...

They are fostering "green" energy tech and stifling crypto right now.

 

[oyarde]

They are fostering "green" energy tech and stifling crypto right now.

the green energy tech proves my competence claim. they are fostering wasting money and giving it to cronies as the previous obama admin did.