following my previous post i should define the notions of use value and exchange value because they are not immediately clear

1. i define value as an attribute. here i use “to attribute” in the original sense: it is a person that can consider something to be of value (see meaning 2 in http://www.dictionary.com/browse/attribute), value is not an intrinsic property.
2. value can be attributed to a thing, but also to a service or anything that we can talk about, like a policy endorsed by some forum like a government.
3. i distinguish between use value and exchange value:
a. use value is a subjective attribute, it is basically the answer to the question: how much of my effort do i want to spend in order to realise this thing/service/etc?
b. exchange value is an intersubjective attribute, it is basically the answer to the question: how much effort do i want you to spend in order to acquire this thing/service/etc from me?

the point here is that thus exchange value is dependant by definition upon my relationship with you.

now in case i have unity consciousness then we share everything and so your effort is my effort. consequently exchange value is the same as use value.

but in case i lack this consciousness distrust may interfere and hence i may need power to enforce you to spend the amount of effort i envision instead of the amount of effort you are willing to spend.

i haven’t worked this out yet but an interesting thought is:

exchange value – use value = transaction costs

if this were true in some sense or other this underpins my feeling that in the sharing economy transaction costs drop to zero, thus opening space for tremendous growth within the limits of our planet.