The termites thing is kind of amusing. But isnt much of whats described in the article properly known as “rent seeking”?

A monopoly might be the ultimate form of rent seeking. But for example a company that buys other companies/products in bulk to trap customers, but never improves or maintains those products and increases prices, is not only engaged in rent seeking but probably committing fraud. But expectation fraud is not a crime.

I think theres a tipping point in economics that once rent seeking becomes a certain percentage of the economy, its pretty much over.

Its economic corruption partnered with govt corruption.