AMC and the Dodo

re: AMC and the Dodo

FutbolGuru — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:58:29 GMT

To say that innovation is strangled by laws and regulations is an understatement. My son did a science project at school varying the ratio of components of gun powder. He tested the different mixtures in a test cannon he built from water pipe and wound up shooting a hole through a phone book, through a piece of plywood, and through the wall of my workshop. What was the response at school????

"You can't do that! It's illegal!"

Kids today!

re: AMC and the Dodo

Brent the bracket bender — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:45:23 GMT

I wish I could write that well. I enjoyed the article and it spurred some thought.

There's another AMC parallel to the US economy. AMC continued to innovate and had products and product ideas ahead of the other automakers but could not implement them or implement them properly. AMC showed the first minivan concept in the late 70s. They produced the AMC Eagle which was what are called "cross overs" today. There were others.

That innovation is still in the US, but the web of laws and controls strangles it. Often makes it impossible to implement well. Misguides the focus. Instead of improving the economy with the innovation it gets picked up later by others who improve their economies with it.

re: AMC and the Dodo

Kim D. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:02:47 GMT

J.,

As always, I thoroughly enjoy your writing. You articulate so well the concerns I feel about the current world economy. I just didn't know how to express it. I often tell my kids that during my childhood we made do with what we had and saved up for years to make a major purchase. But they can't conceive of a world without instant gratification. We have convinced ourselves that we are depriving our children (and selves) if we don't reward every achievement. Kudos to you for pointing out the Emperor has no clothes!

So when are you going to let me read another book?