Like I said, I'm no economist . . . but I'm reminded of one market-forces story about which I know a little bit because of working on the history of southern Africa a tad bit.

Diamonds. They were worthless up till some time in the 19th century. Too hard to be worked with previously, and no obvious use. Began to change in more recent history, but then esp. because of a major marketing scheme (initially in Europe IMS but then also in N. Am) to pose Diamonds as the "Zeus" (or Hera?) of the gem pantheon. Timeless, pure, glasslike . . . In a matter of a couple generations the notion of the Diamond ring as an integral part of the "traditional" Euro White Wedding was born, and simultaneously DeBeers was buying up all the best known diamond-producing areas. The Russians got into the game in the 20th century.

As you may know, these rocks are not cheap, but that is not because they are not plentiful. My understanding is that there are warehouses FULL of these rocks in Holland and Russian (and Australia too?). Their high value is largely artificial through two mechanisms (a) ongoing marketing campaign that started ~150 years ago and has people convinced that Diamonds are the most traditional, most meaningful, and most substantial betrothal gift; (b) hoarding by the producer.

I know oil is a different kind of thing. If I hop in my car, I can be at the parking lot for my office in about 12 or 14 minutes, whereas it would take me about 19 minutes on my bike.

Ironically though, for me in my special highly contrived circumstance (meaning I sought to live where I live for the specific purpose of biking to work) the bike vs the car work out to be about equal. When you add in the ~10 min to walk from the parking lot to the office it works out to be about equal to biking: door to door about 25 minutes either way, but then I don't sweat in the car. The faster I go in the car, the more I risk hurting someone, or getting a ticket. The faster I go on the bike the longer I live (assuming I'm riding safely, and not going fast weaving in and out of traffic! :w00t

*feigns 'tenured-radical' social theorist type attitude* Why Konrad! How dare you suggest that any mere person might have more utility than any other! It is obvious from the teachings and sincere humanism of our enlightened socialist leaders that we are all equal, and the only appropriate way to rule any organization is through committee and bureacracy.

If companies cannot provide me with my beloved products and services through collectivist, profit sharing business-designs, why, why . . . I'll just have to grumble when they go out of business cause they are outcompeted*unfeigns*