Decentralized control no panacea (was Re: Things extropians agree on)

From: T0Morrow@aol.com
Date: Fri Jan 26 2001 - 11:49:47 MST


I would not endorse a blanket claim that distributed control generally works
more efficiently than centralized control, because different subjects submit
to different types of control differently. I don't think central control of
an *economy* increases aggregate wealth more than distributed control, but I
do rather like central control of my nervous system. Secondarily, and less
crucially, "efficient" remains a somewhat vague standard. Political leaders
often regard centralized control of economies as better than decentralized
control, and for good reason: it lines their pockets more efficiently.

I think it sufficient that we *appreciate* the benefits of spontaneous
ordering via decentralized control. I do not think we ought to endorse it as
a universal cure-all.

>In a message dated 1/25/01 6:08:30 PM Central Standard Time,
>charlie@antipope.org writes:
>
> In a spirit of non-confrontational rationalism, I'd like to see if we
> can compose a list of ideas that we *ALL* agree on.
>
> If you disagree with any of these memes, could you wave a hand and
> explain why?

>> 5. Central control is usually less efficient than distributed control.

T.0. Morrow
http://members.aol.com/t0morrow/T0Mpage.html



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