this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2024
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I see that mindset in mega-corps, but at the smallest of scales... one can wash a car or fix a bike and add value to (and thus grow) the system, which logically means it's not closed/finite.
You just showed the system of value goes beyond making new products... But it is still finite, there will be only so many cars to wash (or more accurately, people willing to pay to get their car washed) or bikes that can be fixed.
It can be a big systems but it is finite
I'm sorry, it's difficult for me to follow your logic, but I really appreciate your time in responding. I know at one time there were zero bikes, now there are more than zero, and I suspect more will be created... same with money, so I don't understand how that is finite.
For discussion, perhaps it would be easier to reduce the complexity. In a capitalist system, if I own a fruit tree in an ideal climate then not only can it be duplicated, but either it will produce value by itself, or I will by picking its fruit. AFAICS this added fruit is more value, and the system has grown. Further I can then use this fruit to trade for bike repair or car washings. Is that not right?
There are only two ways of producing "value". You either extract resources from the planet or you use labor to enhance those resources. The value is in the problems solved by the finished product.
Capitalism requires that capital is invested in the manner which produces the most profit. Thus infinite growth.
There is not an infinite amount of resources or labor. The fruit tree extracts nutrients from the soil and requires water to be added.