(no subject)

[timelets]

I wonder whether associativity is key to modeling the difference b/w products and services. Time-wise, e.g. using pain killers as a product is associative, while using services of a doctor or a medical insurance is not. Consider for example a cancer patient. Switching pain killer pills is, practically, costless and equivalent in outcomes, i.e. (1 o 2) o 3 = 1 o (2 o 3). On the other hand, switching insurance is costly and path-dependent, especially, if the condition worsens over time, i.e. (1 o 2) o 3 ≠ 1 o (2 o 3). This is a structural issue, independent of information costs.