Hi Meathead,
I agree, the public at large has built M$ with its support. Even after the numerous security problems, stolen personal identities, millions of accumulated hours of lost productivity - the lemmings run like mad for each new thing M$ comes up with. Hopefully, real-market alternatives, supported by word-of-mouth (and electrons), will eventually help.
The Standard Oil breakup indeed was not well thought out, but in those days, neither was the future impact of anything Standard Oil was doing to its workers, nor the environment it operated in. The longer term impact of Sherman Anti-trust is evident if you ever travel to an oil producing third world country, and see how these same companies operate elsewhere. The USA isn't pristine, nor perfect, but at least here, we generally can drink decent water, breath ok air, let our kids play in the dirt.
I don't buy capitalistic free-for-all, as a justification for anything, because in reality, what we have is a mixed economy. We have it all, in some kind of balance, and though constantly shifting and evolving, it works well. I agree, the job of business is to do business well, but cutthroat is short-term strategy.
If you want to see what I mean, look at Canter-Fitzgerald. That was one aggressive company, still is. It got that way via tough-nosed business decisions, but the leader has heart. After they lost most of the people in the WTC attack, the regrouped, and rather than back away, and enjoy a continued obscene level of profit, is paying MILLIONS of dollars out to families of lost workers, for years to come.
That, my friend, is not cutthroat. But, the CEO, in fact is one of the most aggressive, hard-nosed businessmen on the planet. The guy has incredible balls, but apparently, has long term vision and true courage, as well. He's taking care of the people who helped him build his company in the first place.
It takes balls to do the right thing. It takes balls to be interested in knowing the right thing, too.
Taking care of people is the right thing. Microsoft isn't taking care of this country, nor this world, by abusing the position we've all contributed to. Microsoft is cutthroat - BUT HAS NO BALLS.
