Conversation

This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author. Learn more

Nov 16, 2020

Agreed. This definitely keeps me up at night. So much of what’s made this country special stems from the fact that it’s the place that the most enterprising minds around the world desire to go to. If America loses that, it loses a heck of a lot.

125

Replying to

and

It is interesting to consider the likely non-linear upsides of high concentrations of smart / driven people balanced against the at least partially zero-sum game of depriving other parts of the world of them. Optimistic-me thinks net positive for all, but others could differ.

2:29 AM · Nov 16, 2020Twitter Web App

Replying to

and

Smart people might be everywhere, but capital certainly is not

Replying to

and

Fascinating. Why I feel differently is it hurts me to think of blocking a well meaning and enterprising individual from an environment they desire to be in. They also have the freedom to return home w/ lessons learned (barring IP theft), so perhaps a better leveler than blocking?

John Carmack

@ID_AA_Carmack

Nov 16, 2020

Oh, I want all the smart people to come here (and ideally stay), but I do hear dissenting opinions. I would argue for anything that improves the average, but I understand why that isn’t broadly popular, so I would be happy with just a clear path for the exceptional.

Show replies

Replying to

and

I think positive sum because of remittances.

Cybergrade

@vicentes

Nov 16, 2020

Also when a critical mass of these ppl are in the right environment they can accelerate the advent of life improving tech, which then propagates worldwide. Sustainable energy and smartphones are examples.

Replying to

and

I think since new technology can make old technology obsolete it probably ends up being a large net positive. i.e. cell towers being the first forms of electronic communication in some areas instead of telegraph lines, phone lines, or cable internet.

Replying to

and

Others will rise to fill the niches left empty, perhaps not quite as well, but far better than zero sum.

Replying to

and

In many cases I would reframe as enabling a smart person to succeed. Musk in South Africa would not have yielded anything remotely close to SpaceX or Tesla.

Replying to

and

Talent without access to infrastructure, networks and capital goes wasted.

John Carmack

@ID_AA_Carmack

Nov 16, 2020

I’m all for global talent movement and economic maximization, but I am often tagged as lacking in empathy for it. If talent is wasted in parts of the world, what is their path forward? Earn abroad, then return home to improve it? Charity? I don’t have a well formed opinion.

Show replies