Rob and Gene go to the market
Some people are puzzled over why the rules governing the market can't themselves be an outcome of the market. (Claiming they can't is not the same as saying what goes on in real markets won't influence the rules!) Let us then imagine Rob and Gene have been cleaning out their pads and finding stuff they don't need, and so they agree to meet at "the market" to exchange things. "What rules will govern this market?" Gene asks. "Oh, we don't need to set up some committee to determine this: let's just let the market itself decide the rules!" replies Rob. "OK," thinks the devious Gene. They arrive at the agreed upon spot, and Rob lays out the goods he wishes to trade. "What will you give me?" he asks. "This," Gene replies, and whacks him on the head with a mallet. Rob passes out, and when he comes to, he looks for Gene to complain. He finds Gene has dragged all the goods Rob brought back into h...