Clark, as I don't want to turn this into a philosophical debate (even tho Ramsey is not in the neighborhood), after all, this IS about Qualcomm.
I would only say this:
No one ever bought Windows for altruistic reasons. Not for the "social" good, not self-sacrifice for some pious principle, not for "greater competition", not "for America". People do business with Bill Gates because his software help people do their job, play their games, browse the net, run a profitable business--in other words, in their self-interest, whatever that may be, I could care less.
OS/2 didn't get tromped by Gates, it got tromped by the market, which is made up of *individuals*, each making an economic decision that makes the most sense to *him*, in his own self-interest. Gates can not physically force a person to buy Windows; he can not punish you for buying OS/2. You, however, can punish yourself for buying OS/2.
I realize that my viewpoints on this is in the minority. But that's O.K.; I think for myself. My antennae is especially sensitive in any kind of intrusion into private property right-- the only right truly worth fighting for--once you understand its true nature and implication.
Btw, I enjoy lower phone rates because of deregulation, not becuase of government intervention in the guise of anti-trust laws. But that's another whole story for another day. |
