This is actually a very valid question. Every situation is different — usually I’d agree with you, and I actually hesitated when describing the success as due t

This is actually a very valid question. Every situation is different — usually I’d agree with you, and I actually hesitated when describing the success as due to the exit. In this case, however, the exit is likely due to the ability for the combined entity to execute the original vision better than before, and it also allows us to put a dollar number on the value of a space / business that unsophisticated bystanders continue to dismiss as “not a real business” (even on this page!). That makes it a net win for the overall resale platform / circular commerce ecosystem, and makes future innovation in this space easier to finance. A similar situation occurred with the acquisition of MySpace, which immediately boosted the value of all the other social networks at the time — the space had gone from being a bunch of “worthless websites,” to important next-gen media platforms that might crown the next emperor. Recruitment/funding/etc became a LOT easier after that.