Dwarkesh Podcast Lars Doucet — Progress, poverty, Georgism, & why rent is too damn high
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Jan 9, 2023 Lars Doucet, author of "Land is a Big Deal" and game developer, dives into the concept of Georgism and its societal implications. He discusses why poverty persists even in wealthy areas and how landowners profit at the expense of labor. Lars argues for a land value tax, which could alleviate speculation and tax burdens. From parallels between virtual economies and real estate to the role of land reform in Asia's productivity, his insights challenge traditional economic views and inspire new thoughts on value creation and ownership.
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Georgism's Core Idea
- Georgism argues that land ownership allows unearned profits, hindering both workers and businesses.
- It suggests taxing the unimproved value of land to address inequality and promote economic justice.
Virtual Housing Crises
- Lars Doucet observed virtual housing crises in online games like Ultima Online, where limited land created a black market.
- This experience highlighted how artificial scarcity, even in virtual worlds, leads to similar real-world problems.
Taxing Unrealized Potential
- Dwarkesh Patel questions if taxing unused potential, like leisure time or idle capital, is comparable to a land value tax.
- Lars Doucet highlights the fundamental difference in moral principles: taxing unearned gains vs. taxing unrealized potential.
