The point of the article is to express how something so trivial as a pencil is created by countless intelligent actors, working in kind of dynamic unison, witho

The point of the article is to express how something so trivial as a pencil is created by countless intelligent actors, working in kind of dynamic unison, without any controlling agent. The article makes the point very well - and it's something that definitely should be taught more in school. I think it's very easy for kids to grasp 'top down' control in government, teams or organizations - it's something so intuitive it does not need explanation. The concept of 'free markets' and their ability to facilitate amazing things is in some ways counterintuitive, and needs to be learned. So I think the point is fair. I don't think anyone is implying that all systems must operate in this manner.