An interesting observation was noted by Edmund Burke, “A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors” Reflections on the Revolution in France, 1790. It is this mindset that has driven my personal quest for truth with regards to state, government and society.
I often say that the state can innovate nothing, it can force no innovations and without a doubt public education will never result in forward momentum in science and industry. The proof is, of course, in the history we sometimes avoid, the United States was at one point the industrial giant of the world, we exported more then we imported and as a result saw increased individual prosperity as well as prosperity as a nation. Over the last century, our industry has dissolved, been shipped overseas and replaced with a consumerist approach to economy. We import far more then we export, and in fact really only export weapons, soldiers and wars. Sure we still have some car manufacturers who build vehicles; however, we do not export them overseas, not in the same manner that we used too.
Government has effectively stamped out the spirit of ingenuity in the American people. While the occasional individual still innovates some new product or form of a current product, the unfortunate truth is that most innovation outside of computer related software is related directly or indirectly to the military industrial complex and current police state. A quick look at Popular Mechanics, Good Housekeeping, and other available top innovation lists will show you that either the innovations are simply minor changes to current products, foreign innovations, or are military/police in nature.
Innovation can only be accomplished by individuals; no entity, regardless what name it goes under, can innovate anything. The individual must be completely free to dream, believe and create new and wonderful products. The state and government cannot allow, promote or even agree with the type of true freedom necessary for real innovation. So as we look at the past, present and future of invention, creation and innovation, it is important to remember the individuals who were the true drivers of the success we Americans are currently draining. Those selfish enough to realize that they could prosper personally and enjoy the fruits of their individual labors as they continued to create for others’ use.
No amount of taxes, regulation, or government can help improve the spirit of innovation. It will always come back to the individual’s need to succeed, the drive to be more than they are, and the mental shift from being a robot trained to vote, edu-indoctrinated, and work a meaningless tax paying job for life (slave). Throw off the bonds that keep you down, discard the mentality that requires a belief in a piece of paper, or leaders. Embrace the individual and remember, true innovation is possible if, and only if, you can do this.
Free the mind and the body will follow.
As a voluntaryist it is Jesse's firm belief that we should all be better students in life. His education is both accredited and auto-didactic and spans American History through Modern Criminal Justice; allowing his philosophy to be fluid, so question, criticize and above all exercise your intellect. You can email Jesse at jesse.mathewson@hotmail.com 
