Another good word for capitalism
Don Boudreaux of Cafe Hayek has been posting a series on capitalism’s huge contribution to cleanliness, and in one he notes how much better life has been made by the invention of the modern hard roof. The old thatched roof was, he notes, “nasty, filthy, and dangerous.” Wholly correct, as far as it goes, but Boudreaux misses an important point: capitalism has made the thatched roof much safer. Do you want a thatched roof? There are companies out there that offer you all sorts of protections against fire and bugs. The Old Thatch, a fine pub in Ireland (in Killeagh, Co. Cork, on the N25 out of Cork on the road to Waterford, not far from my home), has a thatched roof that is popular with the tourist trade. It is neither nasty, filthy, or dangerous, and is a very nice place to eat, with good food and very pleasant service. I recommend it to you.
Amazing things that capitalism can do.