tradewheres

A tradewhare is a hypothetical or theoretical commodity that exists solely within a closed economic system, meaning it has no external market or value outside of that specific system. The concept of tradewhares is often explored in discussions about economic modeling, artificial economies, or thought experiments related to resource allocation and value creation. Unlike tangible goods or services that can be traded on open markets, tradewhares derive their worth from the internal rules and dynamics of the system they inhabit. Their value is determined by supply and demand within that closed environment and the agreed-upon rules for their exchange.

The purpose of introducing tradewhares into an economic model can vary. They might be used to test the efficiency of different distribution mechanisms, to simulate the impact of scarcity on behavior, or to explore how value is assigned in the absence of external validation. In scenarios like video games or virtual worlds, items that can only be used or traded within that specific game can be seen as a form of tradewhare. Their value is intrinsically linked to the game's economy and player interactions, rather than any real-world monetary worth. The concept highlights that value is not an inherent property of an object but can be a construct of a defined system.