The origin of money is inherently unknowable. It happens before the start of the historical record, and archaeological evidence will not have much to say, and anthropological studies are unlikely to find a money-naive culture at the point of discovering the concept. The theories cannot be expected to ever be tested.
Computer controlled knitting machines already exist. I doubt if it will take 28 more years before someone figures out how to connect a computer with design software up to a computer controlled knitting machine.
“What we've discovered,” says Lee, “uh, what we've concluded, you know, is basically that the machine that would fit a pig's teat is a human breast pump. It fits perfectly.”
Too bad they did not describe what pig's milk is like, or how “Anyone who farms pigs would say that pigs' milk would make an incredible cheese,” How would an ordinary farmer know, having never collected the milk?
It seems odd that the patent system does not take into account whether an invention could be nearly as profitable as a trade secret or on the other hand, could not possibly be kept secret while used for profit.
