Buy One Get One Free
The concept of free has occasionally given me pause. What does it truly mean to be free? The answer is stark: nothing comes without a cost. People are often drawn to the allure of complimentary offerings and services, but behind the façade of free lies the expenditure of one's time. Whether you find yourself in the role of a product producer, bearing the costs of components, assembly, and countless hours in conceptualization and market introduction, or you serve as a provider of expertise, investing time in skill development, education, training, and learning from mistakes — there is an undeniable cost.
Even as a consumer enticed by the prospect of a free item, you invest your time and resources to obtain it. Time, the most precious resource given life's inherent limitations, becomes a currency in itself. Even the concept of freedom, a cherished ideal, has been acquired and maintained at the price of bloodshed.
You don't get something for nothing
Reflecting on the cliché You don't get something for nothing, I now view things through the lens of tradeoffs, particularly after reading Thomas Sowell's enlightening work, Basic Economics. In the world of tradeoffs, there is no perfect solution, and the notion of free becomes a fallacy. Every choice involves a tradeoff.
Value and expertise in return for your investment
Consider a scenario where a donut shop offers a complimentary coffee with the purchase of two donuts. The allure may prompt you to drive your fuel-consuming Ford F350, incurring expenses in fuel, maintenance, insurance, and more, all to secure $5 worth of donuts and a seemingly free coffee, a journey consuming 25 precious minutes of your life. Alternatively, you could opt to stay home, brew your own coffee, and enjoy a less delectable but healthier meal, albeit sacrificing the excitement of fresh donuts. The tradeoffs are evident.
In sharing these ruminations, I acknowledge the inherent value of your time and express gratitude for the moments you invest in this discourse. I earnestly recommend Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics, a captivating exploration of real-world commerce without the burden of graphs, charts, or tables. On a different note, should you consider upgrading your website, keep me in mind. While I don't work for donuts or for free, I assure you of value and expertise in return for your investment.
