I’m torn. I didn’t read the first article. But apparently the author’s having his cake and eating it too, arguing first one point, and then recanting and arguing the counterpoint.

As I read through this though, I was reminded of the classic Gates quote:

> “A platform is when the economic value of everybody that uses it exceeds the value of the company that creates it."

I can’t quite put my finger on why, but this seems applicable here. The American experience is less about a Wild West sea of capitalist free/market entrepreneurs, and instead turned into more of an entertainment show where tech/sci “performers” vie for the attention of the few VC/monopoly institutions directing the show.