‘In The Ordinal Society, Fourcade and Healy explicate beautifully the destabilizing effect of modern tech companies giving something away for free.

John Spurlock

The Gift, in Mauss’ famous theory, is dangerous: it disrupts the carefully balanced exchanges that ensure social stability.

If you and I exchange objects of equal value, we know that we’re square. We don’t owe each other anything. But if you give me something for free, I don’t know where we stand. What do I owe you?’

https://kevinmunger.substack.com/p/theres-gold-in-them-thar-reels