If two people exchange apples, they still each have only one apple, but if two people exchange ideas, each person now has two ideas instead of one. This example is consistent with the argument that "information" as a factor of production is conceptually different than land, labour, and capital as factors of production.

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The example shows that exchanging ideas results in both parties having more than they did before, whereas exchanging physical goods (like apples) does not. This highlights the unique nature of information as a factor of production, which can be shared and copied without depleting the original source. In contrast, land, labour, and capital are all finite resources that can be expended or depleted through use.

If Two People Exchange Apples, They Still Each Have Only