The current economy

The current economy is a mystery. The current economy comes from the tension between the historical forces that created the Industrial Revolution, class tensions between the working poor and the rich owners, and the Information Revolution, which translated information into profit or products or services at an astronomical rate.

How the current economy functions is a mystery to me. Like a mystery novel, it is full of clues, but no answers. It is like a novel written by Agatha Christie or even like more abstract mystery novelists.

Limited supply and scarcity of resources drives up prices. BUT demand must be created through marketing. I've hardly ever seen a commercial for Apple. Demand is created through word of mouth and blogging and other sources rather than through strict marketing. People really desire unique, differentiated products, ever and ever more. The first one to have it feels really special.

Limited supply is difficult to understand also. After all, movies like Blood Diamond expose the fact that there may be many more diamonds out there than is currently perceived to be. Yet, diamond prices stay relatively the same.

It's all a matter of marketing. Even personality is a product that can be marketed and perceived to be unique. So beautiful, unique people can make lots of money doing the same thing, namely acting.