Text 1: Economist Dr. Patricia Wu studies gift economies in digital spaces. "Online communities exchange value through sharing—code, knowledge, creative work—without monetary transaction," Wu writes. "Non-market exchange remains economically significant."
Text 2: Digital strategist Dr. Robert Park analyzes platform business models. "Platforms monetize 'free' contributions through advertising and data harvesting," Park observes. "What appears gift-like is actually extracted value. Users contribute; corporations profit."
How does Park's analysis complicate Wu's characterization of online exchange?
By showing online communities don't actually exist
By revealing commercial extraction underlying apparently non-market exchange
By arguing code has no value
By claiming all digital activity is charitable
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Wu sees gift exchange. Park sees corporations extracting value from that exchange. The "non-market" appearance obscures commercial appropriation.
- Evidence: Park: "Users contribute; corporations profit."
- Reasoning: Gift appearance masks market extraction.
- Conclusion: Park reveals commercial dynamics Wu's framing misses.
Choice A is incorrect because Park analyzes platform communities. Choice C is incorrect because value extraction requires value. Choice D is incorrect because Park emphasizes corporate profit, not charity.