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A present is free just for the recipient, not for the giver. If it have been free for the giver too, it might imply that it required no use of scarce sources (inputs) or that it has no market worth. It could not be a present, as a result of the recipient might get it without cost by herself. “Take a look at the moon” shouldn’t be a present if the moon is shining. From an financial viewpoint, nothing is free that includes using scarce sources (together with time) or has a market worth (any person else is keen to pay one thing for it). A present will not be free even for the recipient if, to learn from it, he must pay or do one thing (say, purchase a subscription).
One might in fact outline “free” as one needs, however there is a bonus in utilizing a coherent idea, as does the analytical custom of economics wherein sources are scarce and beneficial and nothing produced with these sources (together with labor) may be free for everyone. Both the sources are conscripted or any person has to pay for his or her use. Even for Christmas, free items don’t exist: any person pays for them–which must be fairly apparent.
A fund-raising advisement on Wikipedia’s web site gave me an excuse for this reflection. They have been asking for some ridiculous minimal donation –one thing like two {dollars} and some cents. The technique clearly works: like yearly, I fell for it and gave a bit extra. I don’t use Wikipedia as typically as different reference instruments. For instance, I often favor Britannica’s signed entries. However I nonetheless use Wikipedia sometimes and sometimes discover it helpful. Like many individuals, I felt morally compelled to contribute to charity which, on this case, quantities to the personal manufacturing of a “public good.”
Quickly after my contribution, I obtained an automatic reply signed by the CEO of the Wikipedia Basis; an excerpt:
Thanks a lot for the one-time present … to assist Wikipedia and a world the place information is free for everybody. …
I’m actually grateful in your assist in enabling billions of individuals to expertise the present of data via Wikipedia.
We’re decided to increase this entry so far as potential to be sure that irrespective of the place you’re born or the place you reside, the power to entry free information is all the time inside your attain.
These few phrases comprise a lot nonsense. A world with free information is a mirage or a fairy story. I assumed that such cliched advertising deserved a reply. I despatched a brief e-mail explaining that
Information shouldn’t be and might by no means be “free for everybody.” Some entry to some data may be paid by any person else than the buyer; every other promise is extremely deceptive. Furthermore, in fact, the time spent on studying is a part of the associated fee (non-price value), which neither I nor you reimburse to Wikipedia customers.
I ought to have added that checking the validity of recent information is expensive, which additionally applies to Wikipedia. I famous that Wikipedia is helpful however shouldn’t say that it offers what it can not give.
My reply should not be quite common, for I obtained a solution that had nothing to do with my little lesson on giving and the price of information. On the finish of the reply was a observe:
As a result of quantity of inquiries we obtain, we use Zendesk as a donor response platform. By emailing donate@wikimedia.org, you perceive that your data will probably be processed by the Zendesk Group in accordance with Zendesk’s phrases.
Merry Christmas to all EconLog readers! (Notice that this want present did use some sources albeit of a really low marginal value.)
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