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Life is a commodity.

You marry one… then you die. -That’s an ancient.

Wikipedia:
Commodity is a largely homogeneous product, traded solely on the basis of price

I know that’s a pretty pessimistic point of view, but I got this one when I was working at American Express and saw what money could buy.
Lifestyle, looks, friends, Women, enough to fulfill every step of the Maslow pyramid (Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem, Self-actualization).
Everything has a value on the stock market. Ask your insurance how much is a life worth.

One Guy talks to a stunning Model
G – Would you spend the night with me for 1 million?
M – Sure I would!
G – And for $50?
M -… Do you think I am a prostitute?
G – We both know what you are. Now, we just need to settle on the price.

I know what you are thinking.
Happiness? Health? Love? (Who said money can’t buy me love?)… You are right. You can’t actually buy those things. But you can buy whatever you need to obtain those. If happiness involves a big house, you’re already halfway there!

What I am really touching here is that putting a price on things brings up difficult questions. It creates a value order and a classification amongst everything.
For example, you can’t compare a duck and a chicken but the price tag in the supermarket is different. So, you can compare them. If you prefer one, you’d be ready to pay more.

Now. How much would you like to have for your arm? Is it more expensive than a leg?
Liver is the cheapest right now, because it can grow back if it is cut. Stem cells might create a huge supply in that market, and we’d be able to harvest lungs by the dozen.
Right now, the market really lacks liquidity. Not enough donors!
In America people are paid for giving their blood, we still haven’t made the step here. But blood has a price and it can be quoted like gold or oil.

When you say life is a commodity, the fact that it can be bought is not the scariest part:
It’s the acknowledgement that everything can be put on a scale, some are worth more than others, even if everybody is unique and different.

Still, I’d trade my life for a better one. Wouldn’t you?
Really?

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10 Comments to "Life is a commodity."

  1. François's Gravatar François
    October 16, 2007 - 4:55 pm | Permalink

    I totally agree with you. Everything has a price, you just need to find the right amount. Yeah it’s seem cynic but that’s the truth, you can buy everything. When someone says “Even for all the money in the whole wild world you’ll never get something from me” you can say “ok, but if can find more than that maybe it will be possible”.

    Nice joke :D

  2. Sylvain's Gravatar Sylvain
    October 16, 2007 - 6:24 pm | Permalink

    I’d like to time travel. How much?

  3. Vinh's Gravatar Vinh
    October 16, 2007 - 9:54 pm | Permalink

    Gimme the money, I’ll make you travel through time.

  4. François's Gravatar François
    October 16, 2007 - 10:19 pm | Permalink

    Did you finish the business plan I ordered you, about the time travelling machine. I need it now.

  5. Vinh's Gravatar Vinh
    October 16, 2007 - 10:36 pm | Permalink

    Yes, it costs 100 euros to see it and you have to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement.
    Then we’ll talk about how much you can invest.

  6. lauriane's Gravatar lauriane
    October 17, 2007 - 12:46 pm | Permalink

    sorry…. i’m one of those idealists who still thinks u can’t buy love ;) and…no … some things are priceless ! don’t be cynic like this !

  7. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    October 21, 2007 - 9:46 am | Permalink

    Vinh, you should put cliparts on your blog to illustrate your posts

  8. Sanh's Gravatar Sanh
    October 21, 2007 - 1:14 pm | Permalink
  9. Vinh's Gravatar Vinh
    October 21, 2007 - 4:36 pm | Permalink

    Thank you for the comment.
    And thank you sanh for the glorious insight you provide on my personal ecosystem. (like the one I have in my hair).
    I will try to nurture my future posts with your comments I truly treasure.

  10. sysou's Gravatar sysou
    October 26, 2007 - 9:03 pm | Permalink

    What’s the organisation of your ecosystem? I can’t understand it :p

    Syl

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