[evv]

I think you misunderstand. The author is saying that all corporations are "parasitical" and even "evil", for humans that is.

McDonalds would do anything to squeeze more money out of its customers. Like most corporations, they profit from manipulating the human masses.

[zeno334]

Uhm, whatever his other points may be, I can't take him seriously when he lumps all financial institutions together into one group that offers nothing of use.

Sure, you can argue all day against the usefulness of speculative speed trading firms - and even then you'd still have some decent arguments against you - but to argue that financial institution in general offer nothing of use is ludicrous.

Some relevant quotes:

Corporations are at least somewhat constrained by the need to actually provide some service that is useful to people. Exxon provides energy, McDonald’s provides food, etc. The exception to this seems to be the financial industry. These institutions consume vast amounts of wealth and intelligence to essentially no human end. Of all human institutions, these seem the most parasitical and dangerous.

it [the financial system] has interests that are distant or hostile to human goals

[at-fates-hands]

This is the textbook definition of utilitarianism:

"Utilitarianism is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that maximizes utility, usually defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering."

He sees financial institutions as a waste, and therefore consuming vast amounts of resources to no useful or positive effect.

[fennecfoxen]

Yeah... it's easy to criticize the financial network. So would you mind if we tacked on an extra N% to your mortgage payment, like you'd expect with less efficient financing? :)