>most advances in human history have been done by for-profit organizations.
Not even close. Also, see the article about how cartels are an emergent property[1] of a free market. Not that there really exists a better system than what we currently have, but don't kid yourself into thinking capitalism is some kind of benevolent savior of mankind. It's just not true.
Way back in the day I decided to become a software developer instead of getting my PhD in economics. Economics didnt make any sense to me. It was all philosophy and religion. As an undergraduate, I read only one article that had even basic calculus in it. Perhaps I should have majored in physics and then got my Economics PhD., but nobody did that sort of thing.
Not even close. Also, see the article about how cartels are an emergent property[1] of a free market. Not that there really exists a better system than what we currently have, but don't kid yourself into thinking capitalism is some kind of benevolent savior of mankind. It's just not true.
1. http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3494224