Use Versus Consumption

Abstract

Consumption involves destruction by use. It is the using up of goods and services. Use, as opposed to consumption, is employment for some purpose. The difference is obvious, and with regard to natural resources the difference between use and consumption is important to the ecology-minded. It is also important for those who profit from silver mania, and they all misuse the word consumption with regularity in order to suggest misleadingly that all uses of silver are actually consumption. The silver bulls do this most blatantly in their newsletters and sensational books about profits to be made in precious metals and monetary crises. Even the bullion dealers, who live from trading commissions and therefore like to see active trading, perpetuate the misconception.