[wnight]

Unless a business in that position attempts to enforce its position, what's the problem? If he is making something easier for others he should be rewarded or he'll stop.

It's like saying a road has no value because stuff isn't created on the road, just moved.

As for ethics, you could sleep better after buying a kilo of coke on silk road than paying your taxes.

[DividesByZero]

Roads are a public good, not a business (despite what libertarian rhetoric would have you believe). All business seek to enforce their position, by the way.

[wyager]

>Roads are a public good, not a business

It's funny how I keep getting charged to drive on certain roads that provide a better service than certain other roads.

[DividesByZero]

The owners of such roads are operating rent-seeking businesses. Not in any way a contradiction.

[jacoblyles]

There were lots of private highways and roads in early US history[1]. I'm not saying it's always and everywhere a good idea, but the historical reality or private roads suggests we shouldn't dismiss them out of hand.

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_highways_in_the_United_...

[wnight]

I think you're arguing with the mirror. I said it's like [the fallacy of] thinking a road has no value ...

And I see a lot of businesses selling stuff like 3d printers who use open designs and contribute changes back to the community. Lock-in is a choice people make.