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”
The professions that people admire in the United States include police officers and firefighters. Another group of people is carpenters. A key concept in economic activity is “independence,” which means the ability to earn a living on my own. Carpenters and masons are vital for constructing houses and cities, and the skills involved in producing or creating something are crucial to achieving independence. I cannot leave my future in someone else’s hands. Poverty also implies that I am enslaved. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”