Not even that, simple bartering increases value by distributing items away from the people who don't want them, to the people who do. Value is subjective. If w

Not even that, simple bartering increases value by distributing items away from the people who don't want them, to the people who do. Value is subjective. If we each start with one red and one blue pen, but I prefer red pens and you prefer blue, we (voluntarily) trade the pens and each have two of our favourite colour. Net gain!