[TheOtherHobbes]

The moronism comes from a corporate culture that prioritises short-term gain over the invention of ultra-profitable long-term game-changers.

How many of the advances in computing have been inspired by MBAs demanding quarterly growth?

We have no formal tools for valuing our collective future.

Incubators and accelerators come closest, but the emphasis is still on believable prospects for profitability - hence investing in the team, instead of good ideas - and not on open research.

[kbutler]

Or is it a rational discounting of uncertain distant future results compared to the relatively more certain short-term gains?

Or taking another look - how much of your income are you investing for retirement vs current consumption? Why?