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Knowledge is non-fungible

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  • Cesar A. Hidalgo

Abstract

What would you do if you were asked to “add†knowledge?* Would you say that “one plus one knowledge†is two “knowledges†? Less than that? More? Or something in between? Adding knowledge sounds strange, but it brings to the forefront questions that are as fundamental as they are eclectic. These are questions about the nature of knowledge and about the use of mathematics to model reality. In this chapter, I explore the mathematics of adding knowledge starting from what I believe is an overlooked but key observation: the idea that knowledge is non-fungible. nations.

Suggested Citation

  • Cesar A. Hidalgo, 2022. "Knowledge is non-fungible," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2229, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Nov 2022.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:2229
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    File URL: http://econ.geo.uu.nl/peeg/peeg2229.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    knowledge; non-fungible; economic complexity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • E14 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Austrian; Evolutionary; Institutional
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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