I love to talk about value.

It is simultaneously the most used and misunderstood thing I know.

I like to start with pointing out how fast value can change.

Right now a breath of air is not worth much to most.

Get stuck underwater, a few cm is enough..., and the value for that same breath of air goes within 20-40 seconds for most from almost no value to a lot.

To increase in value a few 10 seconds later to "most they possess".

The second exercise I take on is explaining how a free trade works (a trade not being forced upon either participating).

Most think a free trade is based on both side agreeing on a fair value and next close the deal.

To me trying to explain a free trade only takes place if both parties DISAGREE on the value and that to be the only reason for a successful free trade.

If one of the parties think they don't gain on that trade why would that partie agree to that free trade.

It is the difference in perceived value both parties see, and makes both think they do a good deal or gain, that makes the free deal possible.

So value is always relative, can vary a lot even in short time, and is just a human concept.

Who ever combined or combines "intrinsic" and "value" usually can't explain either properly.....

Next I always try to point out that everything can, and a lot has been, successfully used as money.

Glass beats, seashells, salt, cigarettes, Gold/Silver, pieces of paper with death people on it some can print for free 🤮

If that hurdle is taken the last step to be taken is find properties the best Money should have.

Still not everyone will agree on the outcome 😇

But most can make the step Fiat is actually insane.

To next agree Gold did/does a good job.

To start to open up to #Bitcoin being way better than Gold in modern interconnected fast moving world.

The previous mentioned steps usually do take some time to settle and truly set in.

And most have some hurdles that need more explanation and discussion.

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Discussion

Good post. Not that you asked me but here is my quick take for the sake of having actual conversations here on #nostr.

1. Agree that value is subjective (mises idea). This is a principle that most miss, but you nailed it.

2. I disagree (I think?) on your idea of trade. Free trade - by definition- would only happen it benifits both parties (at least from each parties perspective.) Therefore there can't really be a mismatch.

Thoughts?

What do you mean with mismatch ?

I think it is needed for a free trade that both parties don't agree on perceived value, while most people think the basis for a free trade is agreement.

The agreement from both parties is to do the deal.

But the basis of that free deal is both disagreeing on perceived value.

Oh, I see what you mean. 🫡