From: GERALD LEVY (gerald_a_levy@msn.com)
Date: Sun Mar 09 2008 - 11:20:15 EDT
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa121599a.htm -------------------------------------------------- A few additional comments: Moving beyond the issue of NIPA, the above list raises a number of issues. To begin with: who decides what are the "great" innovations and what are the criteria used? To believe that there could be a non-biased and non- arbitrary listing (let alone ranking) is folly. The above listing is clearly US- (and Euro-) centric. After all, how did Mr. Potato Head, PEZ candy, and the Barbie Doll profoundly impact lives internationally in the 20th Century? Even in the US - where they are more iconic - on what basis could they be said to be great inventions? The unstated criteria for their inclusion is that they were products which were _profitably_ produced and marketed. I guess from that perspective a "pet rock" might have made the list. But, could it legitimately have been said to be a great invention? In addition to having a cultural bias the listing also strikes me as more nostalgic than credible: thus, note the large numbers of toys and candy listed as "inventions". If a product does not have the consequence of representing an entirely new product or process can it be said (in retrospect) to have been a great invention? In Marxian terms if the diffusion of that innovation does not transform the forces and relations of production then how can it be said to be of great consequence? Also incorporated within the listing is the belief that a _theory_ can be an invention. Thus, Einstein's Theory of Relativity (1905) was listed as a great invention. But, is the discovery of a new theory or conception the same thing as an "invention"? In solidarity, Jerry -------------------------------------------------- The above is an onlist list. Some of the "great inventions" included: * the teddy bear (1902) * cornflakes (1906) * Life Savers candy (1912) * the drug 'ecstasy' (1913) * PEZ candy (1927) * the Yo-Yo (1929) * the game 'Monopoly' (1934) * slinky and silly putty (1943) * Mr. Potato Head (1952) * Barbie Doll (1959) * Cabbage Patch Kids (1983) No mention of GDP. After all, who could possibly say that GDP was a greater invention than any of the above? _______________________________________________ ope mailing list ope@lists.csuchico.edu https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/ope
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