logoalt Hacker News

Brian_K_White • today at 6:46 AM • 1 reply • view on HN

It's a bit more than a need to stand out. It's a recognition that the definition of value has moved.

If a thing is no longer difficult to perform or to produce, then I might still employ or consume it if it's useful, but I will no longer value it. No matter how useful a potato is, it's not worth any money, time, interest, effort, emotional investment, etc. Even though in a vacuum it's almost like a magic ultra utility food, most useful and valuable thing ever.

Same for countless mass produced utilitarian goods like plastic bowls and basic computers.

I don't want be an injection molded cup or a potato not just because they aren't rock stars, but because they aren't valuable enough to be a person's identity or livlihood at all, even a basic unassuming workman's.


Replies

throwawayqqq11 • today at 7:04 AM

There is one valuable distinction to be made, ideas. There are only so many ways to grow potatos, IT in comparison offers unbound(?) possibilities. The current projects we see are more showcases than original content, like remixes in the cassette era. Replication looses its value.