The major difference between information and material goods is that material goods also serve as indicators of status. If we evolve toward some other way of ind

The major difference between information and material goods is that material goods also serve as indicators of status. If we evolve toward some other way of indicating status, then one day stuff will be just as free as information is now. But if not, people will continue to spend money on ridiculously overpriced stuff that has no added utility over "regular" stuff, just to show that they're better than those who can't afford it. And they are better, in a sense. This seemingly childish game of status shouldn't be discounted. It's evolutionarily very important.