One can have the ability to play middleman, but it will be ultimately futile, if there&#x27;s nothing to play middleman <i>for</i>.  Getting things to consumers first requires that there be a thing, which requires a creative act.  Investors and executives can certainly help to facilitate those creative acts, but why should that give them first claim to 99% of the proceeds?  It&#x27;s certainly not a risk premium when those people glide away while the creators get screwed.  It&#x27;s pure rent, in the economics sense.