Similarly to carbon costs and derivatives, we can go as far back as we want (carbon cost since big bang, since factory, or from the store) or examine the conseq

Similarly to carbon costs and derivatives, we can go as far back as we want (carbon cost since big bang, since factory, or from the store) or examine the consequences into the future or alternative timelines (opportunity cost). It is an interesting idea, and a good thought experiment. If we are going to quantify everything, we could also quantify the enjoyment of the item as a negative cost, saving us from stress or health or other expenses through its enjoyment. We do it with opportunity cost, so why not in the other direction. In this case, from the top of my head. Buying a book and not reading it yet: - Can provide value by showing that book on my shelf (despicable, but true for some) - Can make me feel good by knowing I am contributing to the author income, or by knowing when I am bored I can reach for the book without intermediate steps. This benefit is immediate. - Can be one step in a chain of steps bringing one closer to a set goal: preparing to find a new job by learning something explained in the book. - Can help build long lasting beneficial habits like focus or language mastery. - If buying the book in a shop, it can bring opportunities for social interaction, that are difficult to quantify. So the value of buying a book is not necessarily the one explained by this model. We can choose other models where the book provides "some" value immediately. IMO what we quantify is not objective, but a reflection of a perspective in itself.