this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2026
427 points (96.7% liked)
Science Memes
18651 readers
2076 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Explanation: Nikola Tesla was a prolific and wildly influential inventor of the early 20th century AD. He also was in constant dire financial straits despite not having any major expensive vices (other than inventing), because, unlike his contemporary Thomas Edison, Tesla was not adept at maneuvering business deals (and certainly not with the cutthroat ruthlessness that Edison displayed - several times at Tesla's expense).
Capitalism is better than feudalism because it rewards a wider range of intellectual ability and success than feudalism does... but that range still does not include innovation. You wanna be paid for your innovation in a capitalist system? Better have a lawyer and a business agent on hand as soon as you get out of the patent office. :/
You also need money or to find an investor to pay for marketing, just because something is innovative doesn't mean people will want it until you tell them they want it.
I considered that part of having a business agent on hand to make those deals and connections, but yes.
That's why we need guilds.
I've read about guilds literally banning innovation in a 12 part series on German history.
I've read about capitalist governments doing the same thing. All groups can make mistakes. Unions have done stupid things, too. This doesn't mean that we should never seek collective power in a battle against other forms of colllecive power.
Any kind of power can corrupt. This isn't an argument against trying, but for any systems of power to be built with mechanisms to make it more difficult to entrench that power so it doesn't end up used against those it is intended to help.
Though I don't know what kind of defense there is against a cult of personality.