On 2026-08-07, @brian_armstrong frames a policy choice

Brief

Brian Armstrong (post dated 2026-08-07) argues societies must choose between maximizing aggregate growth or enforcing equal outcomes, using a thought experiment (10% personal gain vs 0% for all). He asserts data show high economic freedom boosts the poorest 10%, that socialism often worsens average welfare and empowers elites, and cites Crémieux on U.S. inequality yet relatively well-off lower middle class.

Why it matters

On 2026-08-07, @brian_armstrong frames a policy choice: optimize for overall growth (scenario #1: you are 10% better off while some others are 100% better off) or equal outcomes (scenario #2: everyone is 0% better off); he argues #1 maximizes aggregate growth and rewards striving, while #2 breeds envy and destructive behavior.

Key details

Armstrong claims empirical evidence shows high economic freedom countries (the #1 approach) leave the poorest 10% better off; he warns socialism often lowers average welfare and enables corrupt elites, and cites Crémieux noting the US is more unequal but its lower middle class is well off versus many Western European peers.

Right - societies have to decide if they want to optimize for overall growth or equal outcomes.

Would you rather:
1. be 10% better off even if some others are 100% better off
2. be 0% better off while all others are also 0% better off

The first maximizes overall growth for all people in society and teaches striving for your personal best (instead of comparing yourself to others). The second teaches envy (if I can't have it, I will destroy positive outcomes for everyone).

Now you can quibble with these hypothetical numbers of course. In #1 if most people are -10% and a few are +10,000%, that is clearly worse. In #2 (socialism) usually the average person is worse off, while some corrupt elites seize power. So there is a big difference between intentions and actual outcomes.

So what does the data say? In high economic freedom countries (which optimize for scenario #1) the poorest 10% of people in society are better off. Whether you are optimizing for the bottom 10% (the compassionate choice) or for everyone in society in aggregate (the logical choice) you get the same answer.

Crémieux (@cremieuxrecueil)

America is more unequal than many of its Western European peers, but even its lower middle class is well off compared to them.

Link: cremieux.xyz/p/americans-are…

— https://nitter.net/cremieuxrecueil/status/2085723210440442221#m