Are "do it yourself-ers" people who just were absent from school the day they covered David Ricardo?

Question

Nicole it's not less expensive - apparently you missed Ricardo too. It takes you much longer - you could spend that time doing what you specialize in. And you have to buy and store all the tools you use, in a place where the kids can't get to it. And with respect to car-care, if you spill any motor oil, grease, etc...., there goes a shirt. Yeah it could be an old tee shirt but it's not like you can put it through the laundry afterward.

Answer 1

Funny. I would never have connected the 2 until you asked the question.

I do a lot of things myself for reasons other than simple economic advantage, but most often do things myself because I do them better, cheaper, and faster then the process required to select the right contractor, negotiating a price, etc.

Other than specialized or large tasks, the comparative advantage is in my favor.

And don't underestimate the self satisfaction.

Answer 2

David Ricardo's theory's, while an excellent observation in general, very general, lack some practical accounting into human nature that are their downfall. They also make unrealistic assumptions about capitol and value that just don't work in a dynamic real world environment. Even less so as development of manufacturing techniques and diversity of markets and areas commerce evolves driven by technology, even the simplest technology.

Part of human nature is that those who specialize in their specific tasks or jobs and use others to do everything else for them become stupid and their minds atrophy in areas which creates an erosion in common sense and an ability to function in every day life. This can and often does result in a population dependent on others which sinks into a group think herd or hive mentality in which reality is not understood or recognized and they can make mistakes which are extremely damaging to a populations individual freedoms and general well being. They are opened up to a fascist style of leadership  which takes advantage of their stupidity and group loyalty and can take power from them and use it (and in history always have) against their own best economic, let alone personal interests.

A population exposed to more wide ranging stimulus in every day life is a more well rounded and intelligent population. Much more likely to be good to it's citizens, and to be able to care for themselves, to understand cause and effect situations and do stupid things as a group as in for example not fall prey to leaders with destructive intent.

On a wide view, people doing things for themselves is not a bad thing, for their social well being, and in the long run their economic well being as well.

Richardo's theories while wonderful, in the same way that Marx's theories on government are wonderful, fail for the same reasons. They both forgot to take in the vital considerations, of the realities of human nature. So they both fail miserably in practical application.

Answer 3

Must be since I don't know who David Ricardo is...

On another note, I enjoy doing projects myself and revelling in a job well done. And besides, it's generally less expensive to do something yourself than to pay someone else to do it.