I'm curious who the author is - I've done some work in the video game industry, and I think his analysis is not far from truth.

So many areas of industry have stagnated, or been hampered by gov't regulation or restrictions (stem cell research, the private space industry, alternate energy sources, and so on).

The video game industry has been driven by people who are passionate about what they do - and there's very little standing in their way. It's much like making a movie, of course you want to please your customers, but in the end, the owners/designers of the project have full control over the what goes in. Sure, there are "ratings" that get applied, but an "M" rating rarely hurts sales of a FPS, in fact an "M" rating can boost sales to action hungry teen and adult gamers who don't want to see cute bunnies or Mario bouncing around silly mushrooms.

The internet has been... or was... much like this. There has been more and more attempts to get the government involved. To move towards net neutrality. To prevent the last mile provides from profiting from what too many people view as a "commodity" that should be regulated and freely available.

The liberals and government has been creeping into the entertainment industry. Efforts to release films with R-rated language stripped, oversight of any participation with children or animals. The Screen Actor's Guild (and other unions) dictating to talent where they can work, how much they can make, what companies they can work for - is driving many, many filmmakers to Canada to avoid heavy union fees.

As more and more talent is brought in for content creation of vast, epic video games, these restrictions will inevitably creep in, if allowed.

Excellent.

I am a licensed, registered Medical Technologist. This required a bachelors degree, a year of internship at a licensed facility, and passing a registry exam. I did my year of internship at Carswell AFB in Texas (I had joined the AF when I discovered that a bachelors degree in biology was unemployable.) While you do not need the registry to work as a med tech in the military, the official license is needed for most states in civilian life.

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention one thing: The instructors I had in the AF during my year of internship...they only had high school educations and AF OJT training. They knew their subjects down cold - the theory as well as the practice. But of course, lacking the official blessing of the registry license, they are not allowed to exercise these skills in civilian life...

Jan

Eloquently written. Thanks, Mike.

+1 excellent article..
the contrasts were striking and alarming.

+1 excellent article Mike

As if Elon Musk doesn't rate as an entrepreneur.
Barbers used to be able to hang out a shield and indicate they were medical practitioners. Traveling salesmen used to be able to sell all kinds of potions
There're reasons for the developed bureaucracy for the professions. Incidentally, I have Med Tech and 7-12 Science Teacher degrees/certifications.
This is still the home of the free society for humankind. And individual self-realization. Work to make it better. Not poor-mouth it
Harry M

Thanks, Mike.