内卷的解药不是涨价

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution of business competition from price-cutting to concerns about low-price competition, emphasizing the need for value creation beyond just lowering costs [3][4]. Group 1: Price and Value Dynamics - The article argues that the continuous lowering of prices leads to a cycle where factories cannot improve product quality, businesses lack profits, and employee incomes fail to meet consumption needs [5][6]. - It highlights that price reductions are often a result of large-scale standardized production, which dilutes production costs but does not necessarily correlate with product quality [10][11]. - The concept of the "idiot index" is introduced, which measures the ratio of production costs to raw material costs, indicating that high production costs can be a sign of inefficiency [8][9]. Group 2: Market Competition and Consumer Behavior - The article notes that price drops are typically accompanied by market scale growth and a fragmented market structure, leading to increased price sensitivity among consumers [12][14]. - It provides examples of various products, such as air purifiers and coffee machines, where increased market demand has led to lower average prices while production volumes have risen significantly [12][13]. - The article emphasizes that in a competitive market, low prices are a common strategy, driven by consumer demand rather than a decline in product quality [14][16]. Group 3: The Role of Additional Value - The article questions where the additional value comes from when prices rise, suggesting that without improvements in product attributes or production processes, prices will revert to fair market levels [23][24]. - It argues that true consumption upgrades occur when previously unaffordable products become accessible to a broader audience, rather than merely shifting from one expensive brand to another [25]. - The article asserts that the creation of new additional value beyond raw materials and production is essential for social wealth creation and purchasing power enhancement [28][30]. Group 4: The Importance of Human Capital - The article posits that the value of high-quality goods often derives from human knowledge and skills rather than just production processes, highlighting the importance of design, innovation, and branding [35][36]. - It discusses how the success of companies like NVIDIA and Prada is rooted in their ability to create value through intellectual property and design rather than just manufacturing [29][30]. - The article concludes that improving human value is crucial to escaping the cycle of low-price competition, advocating for a shift in focus from mere production to enhancing individual skills and creativity [45][46].