wherein a mere 'mercantile tradition/process' comes to affect/infect (and even, effect) -- the mindset of the population in All human matters
-- some even trying to 'quantify' emotional states with numbers (or measure 'IQ' via spreadsheet, or ____.)
Think. about. it. before knee-jerk recitations of earliest-dates when humans devised means of keeping Their Stuff their. stuff.
We now have leetle cheeldrun who throw temper-tantrums if the labels on their clothes are not kewl-enough in their tribe.
The 'terrible twos' used to refer to the stage of growth wherein a tot learns there is an idea of 'MINE' (and wants it all.)
Now.. 'MINE' has become the base-religion of our form of Vulture-Capitalist mercantile tradition
-- gone all sociopathic: covering much more in the victms' psyches ... than 'the exchanging of goods as a livelihood.'
I'll still go with the essay, thankyouverymuch, Mr.Libertytarian-in-extremis.