n>Adam Smith says you and I are “lovers of toys.” This love drives the economy. The toys are of two sets. One is the tasks, business structures, and institutions comprising commercial civilisation. All have intricate parts that need tending. To tend these complex systems is why we get up in the morning. Critically, it is not so much the utility of these intricacies that motivates but their beauty: “The orderly and flourishing state of society is agreeable to him, and he takes delight in contemplating it. Its disorder and confusion, on the contrary, is the object of his aversion.” This contemplation is highly productive and paid for the work of setting things in order, we buy the other set of toys: the complex systems that are cars, dishwashers, designer showers, gourmet kitchens, hi-fi, and watches. Read Full Article »