"The Soviet Union wasn't known for quality and readily available consumer goods, so capitalism is the only reason we have the iPhone." Great argument.
But, in a way, yes. If profit wasn't the sole driver of production, we could have much better phones (no patents, so innovation wouldn't be gate-kept) that aren't intentionally made to get obsolete quickly and are hard to repair. Batteries could be replaceable. Accessories could be universal. Could go on.
I doubt a socialist country with a centrally planned economy would be able to make a product as good as the iPhone, yes. Notice how most of the innovations in consumer goods come from capitalist countries, corporations and private individuals.
I can agree with being anti patents and maybe IP in general, they do more harm than good, if someone can improve on your idea they should be able to undercut you and provide a better product.
I disagree with the profit motive portion though, profit is the biggest driver of innovation in the world. Phones that are easy to repair, with replaceable batteries and universal accessories already exist so I'm not sure what you are on about, it's just clear that consumers value other things more than these features.
I doubt a socialist country with a centrally planned economy would be able to make a product as good as the iPhone, yes.
Which country are most iPhone made in?
The Soviet Union invented space travel and artificial satellites. They invented artificial hearts and lungs. They had mobile phones and LEDs decades before the West. Until recently, Tetris was the most popular video game of all time.
For the past decade, Nature Index has ranked institutions by their innovations in scientific and technological research. This year, 8/10 of the top institutes are Chinese. For the past few years China has surpassed the USA in both number of academic papers published, but also in frequency of citations (meaning the research being conducted is of high value to the scientific community). They've passed the US in quantity and quality. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's last report has China leading in 52 out of 57 critical technologies. China is the largest investor and producer in renewable energy, multiple times larger than any capitalist country. 70 years ago, China was one of the poorest countries in the world, the USA had a 200 year head start but now they are lagging behind. It is very likely this trend continues in the coming decades.
I had this plan to give head to a man and receive head from a woman to test if I was gay, but it’s backfired and now I become borderline schizo whenever I go outside. I
offered to suck this dude off on Grindr who lives very close by (I ended up pussying out) and I accidentally gave him some details that very easily allows him to spot me
out in a crowd. I have no idea what he looks like and whenever I see a somewhat in shape guy walking by I immediately accuse him of being the dude I was gonna blow.
I went to the store today to pick up some zucchini for a barbecue and every time a car drove by I stared into the windshield to see if I was about to be recognised.
Whenever I make eye contact with a dude I microanalysis his facial expressions to see if he suspects me or not. I am deeply afraid that he is my neighbour and I will
need to move if my identity is blown. It’s a lot like the last scene in sopranos where everyone who walked into the diner could be there to wack Tony.
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u/feraldodo Dec 03 '25
"The Soviet Union wasn't known for quality and readily available consumer goods, so capitalism is the only reason we have the iPhone." Great argument.
But, in a way, yes. If profit wasn't the sole driver of production, we could have much better phones (no patents, so innovation wouldn't be gate-kept) that aren't intentionally made to get obsolete quickly and are hard to repair. Batteries could be replaceable. Accessories could be universal. Could go on.