Stephen Souter wrote:
The profit motive does *NOT* guarantee a follow-through. It only
guarantees there will be one if there is a profit to be made. If there
is no profit to be made, then a corporation is actually less likely to
proceed as far as a government agency might (since the latter does not
need to make a profit to stay in business).

Which brings up an interesting 'prize'... The Blue Riband. No money
attached, only (corporate and national) prestige and the possibility
of profits (via increased publicity). Not only that, but the 'prize'
was awarded for performance in large, well established, and growing
market with room enough for dozens of companies.

Yet only a few of the largest participated in the race for the Prize,
and quite frequently (IIRC) they had tacit goverment assitance.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.