Compared to the era of a self-sufficient barter economy, everyone’s happiness is greater in the exchange economy, where each person divides their labor into what they do best and exchanges what they produce. This is because the division of labor is more efficient than self-sufficiency in productivity and can further reduce production costs. At this point, a means of exchange agreed upon by society is required, which is called money (currency). In other words, in the exchange economy, specialists who excel in one field are more advantageous for survival than ordinary people. An all-round player is more likely to face starvation. Therefore, a generalist is only advantageous for survival when they can organically integrate their diverse abilities in a specific field or situation, while also managing and restricting the scope of their activities and conditions. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
What someone can share with others is referred to as a “non-rival asset,” whereas the counterpart is termed a “rival asset.” Intangible assets, such as brands and intellectual property rights, fall under the category of non-rival assets. In contrast, tangible assets that physically exist, like buildings and goods, are classified as rival assets. Non-rival assets can theoretically be utilized by numerous individuals simultaneously, and their depreciation is nearly nonexistent even when an original copy exists. Thus, the scale and speed of wealth creation differ from that of an economy focused on existing tangible assets. In Apple, the personality assets of founder Steve Jobs are considered non-rival assets, while the productivity aspect, traditionally seen as a rival asset, has been managed through outsourcing. If Apple focuses solely on non-rival assets, managing the rest becomes straightforward, as they understand the sources of high-added value. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”