http://cafehayek.disqus.com/Where Orders EmergeenMon, 09 Apr 2007 06:36:14 -0000http://cafehayek.com/2007/04/the_division_of.html#comment-13620447<p>the specialization example that stuck with we was that MIchael Jordan could probably mow his lawn better than his lawn boy, but it was still better for him to hire it done and concentrate on what he did best</p>lon smithMon, 09 Apr 2007 06:36:14 -0000http://cafehayek.com/2007/04/the_division_of.html#comment-13620446<p>I really enjoyed this essay and podcast. There are a couple of what you might call "micro-businesses" I've been involved with in the past couple of years. One is a friend who runs a shoe trading show, so I loved the comment about women and shoes, considering that this show is 99% guys who drop huge jack on their sneaks ;-). I'm just a dabbler and now have about 40 pairs of shoes in boxes in my closet. That's just the Nikes ;-).</p><p><br></p><p>But anyway, I've been trying to come up with an explanation for someone who isn't interested in economics per se about what the first mover advantage to setting up these shows boils down to. My friend has seen a few would-be competitors come and go. The business is just right for a couple of guys covering a few cities, but if you get more people involved or try to just do one locale, there's not enough money in it, and way too many people pulling money from you. There's also a lot of brand recognition (like Singer or Dritz -- Dritz if you're familiar with the pro-am sewing scene, another micro-biz I've learned about lately) that gives him staying power.</p><p><br></p><p>Anyway, very very thought provoking essay and podcast. Thank you!</p>Brad HutchingsWed, 04 Apr 2007 14:35:24 -0000http://cafehayek.com/2007/04/the_division_of.html#comment-13620445<p>Wow. Excellent way of explaining it.</p>Tense AlcyoneusWed, 04 Apr 2007 06:07:08 -0000http://cafehayek.com/2007/04/the_division_of.html#comment-13620450<p>Russ, have you seen the TV show "How It's Made"? It's a Canadian-produced series that airs here on the Discovery Channel. Every episode features 4 or 5 different everyday objects: elevator handrails, Venetian blinds, guitar strings, coffee machines, wigs, etc. The cameras go to the various factories/workshops and show you step-by-step how the object is manufactured. The series is an ode to the division of labor.</p>BryanTue, 03 Apr 2007 11:01:10 -0000http://cafehayek.com/2007/04/the_division_of.html#comment-13620449<p>This is ridiculous- didn't you realize how easy your example is to refute? If one of them opens a business and the others don't, obviously the one who does is NOT equal to the others. He has more desire for entrepreneurship!<br><br><br></p>Francois TremblayMon, 02 Apr 2007 13:07:21 -0000http://cafehayek.com/2007/04/the_division_of.html#comment-13620448<p>To paraphrase Stalin, how many divisions does labor have?</p>triticaleMon, 02 Apr 2007 11:23:36 -0000http://cafehayek.com/2007/04/the_division_of.html#comment-13620451<p>It may also be that some prefer operating a cafe to hunting, even if they are as good at hunting as others.</p>Sam GroveMon, 02 Apr 2007 10:50:50 -0000