Every time disruptive technology becomes widely adopted, those who rely on what is has displaced often turn to the government seeking protection. It’s a phenomenon well described in the 18th century by Frederic Bastiat who, in a famous essay entitled “The Candlemakers’ Petition,” described the demands made of the French government by candlemakers seeking to block the sun from competing against them.The protections they sought - rules and regulations forcing people to keep their windows shuttered during the day and skylights closed so they would have to live in darkness unless they employed candles to light their homes - was a satirical attack by Bastiat on the very real problem of rent seekers attacking progress.We’re well passed the stage where there’s anything even remotely funny about it. American businessmen who otherwise sing on the praises of competition and its effect on the free market still fail to grasp the absurdity of the economic fallacy Bastiat described so well.Today, among the list of American industries who are taking much the same position Bastiat ascribed to the candlemakers are those in the paper and printing business.