> Why does Google need outside investors?
i.e. why should I use my money if I can use someone elses'?
If you use someone else’s money you have to pay him back with interest or equity.
> you have to pay him back with interest or equity
That's the price for infinite scaling. If a business can't make more than that it should be shut down.
i.e. do you want to make 25% of 1 billion or 5% of 1000 billion?
The point the great-grandparent is making is that Google could comfortably finance the project itself and make 100% of the upside, not 25% or 5%.
And the point here is borrowing more money increases available funds for bigger rewards. Google can fund 1 Waymo but not an infinite amount of them.
If you use someone else’s money you have to pay him back with interest or equity.
> you have to pay him back with interest or equity
That's the price for infinite scaling. If a business can't make more than that it should be shut down.
i.e. do you want to make 25% of 1 billion or 5% of 1000 billion?
The point the great-grandparent is making is that Google could comfortably finance the project itself and make 100% of the upside, not 25% or 5%.
And the point here is borrowing more money increases available funds for bigger rewards. Google can fund 1 Waymo but not an infinite amount of them.