How can we infer that if individual rights had been more respected and protected around the world, much more could have been achieved, and many more lives could have been saved and prolonged and made better?

By comparing the progress in information and digital technology over the past 50 years with the progress (or lack thereof) in most other industries which have been subject to more and more government regulations. Statism not only has directly killed countless millions, but also indirectly shortened both the length and quality of most people’s lives by shackling the pursuit of progress.

It is obviously no use to cry over spilled milk—or even oceans of wealth that haven’t materialized. But imagining what could have been might inspire us to move towards a capitalist social system that enables the geniuses to improve life for all of us and that allows the rest of us to realize our potential without statist interference.

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