> I wouldn't say you're paying the homeless for the street cleaning service.
I certainly would. Are you arguing just because the government is interposed in the process that it is no longer a service you are paying for?
Ok, let's try a different angle. Imagine a world where financial markets aren't electronic and brokers don't exist. You have 5 Apple shares that have a fair value of $500. The only way to sell your shares in this fantasy world is to physically find someone who wants them. Maybe you call people on the phone, maybe you spam some e-mails. You get the full $500 if you find a buyer, but it takes labour and time. The labour is costing you, since you could be doing something productive that you are more skilled at. And the time is costing you, because you want the $2500 now to pay the rent, and if Apple shares plunge you could be in trouble!
So I, for the first time ever, get the idea to set up a lovely looking shop on the corner and offer to buy them from you for $499 each, and I'll handle the rest. You come in with your share certificate, we shake hands, make small-talk, exchange money. Surely you agree this is a service?
So I am slightly baffled. All that has changed is that the process outlined above has been made electronic, and now you claim it isn't a service? Do shops selling shit on ebay no longer qualify as services?
I certainly would. Are you arguing just because the government is interposed in the process that it is no longer a service you are paying for?
Ok, let's try a different angle. Imagine a world where financial markets aren't electronic and brokers don't exist. You have 5 Apple shares that have a fair value of $500. The only way to sell your shares in this fantasy world is to physically find someone who wants them. Maybe you call people on the phone, maybe you spam some e-mails. You get the full $500 if you find a buyer, but it takes labour and time. The labour is costing you, since you could be doing something productive that you are more skilled at. And the time is costing you, because you want the $2500 now to pay the rent, and if Apple shares plunge you could be in trouble!
So I, for the first time ever, get the idea to set up a lovely looking shop on the corner and offer to buy them from you for $499 each, and I'll handle the rest. You come in with your share certificate, we shake hands, make small-talk, exchange money. Surely you agree this is a service?
So I am slightly baffled. All that has changed is that the process outlined above has been made electronic, and now you claim it isn't a service? Do shops selling shit on ebay no longer qualify as services?