Erik, your articles are more more and more interesting. I joined you blog nearly two years ago. From my deep part of heart I would say that it is a great pleasure to follow you and read your articles. Your contribution in spreading the goodness and knowledge is outstanding and remarkable. Impressive work. How you manage to publish so many inspirational articles, I really do not know.

Referring following article I think that society culture (should be acceptance for innovative work and understanding/openness for new things) and competition can be also considered as a factors which influence considerable technological development (beside professional labs). I believe also what you mentioned that for the long perspective the democracy creates (beside "freedom" ) proper space for innovative thinking.