Do you remember when the Yankees signed Jose Canseco as a free agent even though they didn't need him just so their competitors couldn't play him? Well if you don't remember it, don't worry- it happened. Canseco said they immediately told him he wouldn't play after signing. He understood and rode the pine the whole way.
So, what has this to do with Big Oil? Well, I recently learned that Chevron owns the patents to the electric car battery that makes electric cars feasible. Once they realized this could hurt their industry, they simply bought the company and the patents, so they can keep it on the bench.
Who lost in baseball? The fans, the competitiveness of the game, etc. If Jose had played for Boston and actually played, competition would have been better, and more fans would have enjoyed the product. Productivity would have won out, and economically speaking everything would have been better. I start watching baseball in the sixth game of the World Series or if I need a nap. However the oil companies do affect my daily life, and the "Republicat" Government is in bed with them. I can't think of a better case for shorter patent terms. Canseco's agent could have had a better contract in the same manner. This is an unproductive business method, and the economy is the loser. Check out the vids.
You gotta appreciate the enthusiasm of this video, if not the tact of comments like..
"Look- the cockadoody battery already exists!!!" Lol
"Who killed the electric car"- edited version
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