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This type of behaviour shouldn't be surprising at all. Corporations are, on the average, amoral -- a result of human group behaviour. As with wild animals, one doesn't get mad at them for following their instincts -- yet, one shouldn't hesitate to carry a gun lest they themselves become lunch.

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Thanks for the grounding simile.

Everyone gives something to take part in and benefit by society. Corporations form, and seem to refund to their members all that they gave and occasionally more. We do not measure the externalities well, only the benefits. An externality estimator would be a great economic tool, does anyone know of one?

Some might say that this is a function of government -- that is, the collective will of society forcing corporations and/or individuals to take into account otherwise hidden externalities. Though this is a somewhat contentious view, it makes sense to me.

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