Perry E. Metzger uses the Smaug/Lake-town trope to claim dragons can deliver economic utility—storing wealth, restraining inflation, and creating jobs for treasure-seekers—and applies that framing to Elon Musk, asserting Musk channels wealth into hiring and investment rather than ostentatious hoarding.
Perry E. Metzger argues that Smaug provides economic benefits: he 'babysits his hoard,' helps keep inflation low, and 'keeps treasure-hunters gainfully employed.'
What is it, exactly, that the people of Lake-town have against Smaug the dragon? He babysits his hoard. He keeps inflation low. He keeps treasure-hunters gainfully employed.
Perry E. Metzger (@perrymetzger)
What is it, exactly, that you believe that Elon Musk does with his money? He hires people. He invests. He doesn't roll around in piles of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck.
— https://nitter.net/perrymetzger/status/2065623542226440341#m