Idea Province

I have more ideas than I'll ever use: ideas for movies, inventions, utopias, T-shirts, businesses, and more. I could hoard them, but what would be the point? If you have ideas that you're squandering, send them to me - Rhys Southan - at mrsouth (-at-) gmail (-dot-) com. I'll post them for the world to take... if the world has any use for them.

May 27, 2008

The Benevolence of the Butcher

If Joseph Weisenthal had a butcher shop, it would be called “The Benevolence of the Butcher,” a reference to Adam Smith’s classic statement in The Wealth of Nations that:

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.

In this case, it would be. Joe’s butcher shop would be free, with a voluntary donation if you wished. He can do this because it’s only an idea, not an actual business.

3 years ago

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