From Atlas Shrugged: "Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against-then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted-and you create a nation of law-breakers-and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
As for Sony selling material that can only be played on their products, there definately should not be a law against such action. Sony is an independent business (not to mention not American) and can do what it pleases with its own material. However, Sony would lose a lot of money if they did that. There would be whole clusters of consumers that Sony would lose. I think it would be beneficial for Apple to allow iTunes songs to be played on any player, but when countries like France demand Apple make their stuff compatible with other players (as France has already done) I just hope Apple pulls out of the country completely. Apple makes most of its money here, anyway. Government coercion pisses me off to no end. Now other countries in Europe are trying to do the same thing to Apple. I really hope they just pull out of those nations. Just say, "Fuck you" and leave. Because then the consumer base that uses iTunes will want them back and the government will look like jackasses.
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against-then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted-and you create a nation of law-breakers-and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
As for Sony selling material that can only be played on their products, there definately should not be a law against such action. Sony is an independent business (not to mention not American) and can do what it pleases with its own material. However, Sony would lose a lot of money if they did that. There would be whole clusters of consumers that Sony would lose. I think it would be beneficial for Apple to allow iTunes songs to be played on any player, but when countries like France demand Apple make their stuff compatible with other players (as France has already done) I just hope Apple pulls out of the country completely. Apple makes most of its money here, anyway. Government coercion pisses me off to no end. Now other countries in Europe are trying to do the same thing to Apple. I really hope they just pull out of those nations. Just say, "Fuck you" and leave. Because then the consumer base that uses iTunes will want them back and the government will look like jackasses.
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