Book culture and independent bookstores (like Love Books in Johannesburg) thrive in developing countries because real estate costs are low enough for people to open businesses based on love rather than capital efficiency; high real estate costs in wealthy countries eliminate this possibility.
causalpending
Speaker
John RapleyEvidence Quote
“real estate costs are so low [in developing countries]... possible to envision... Setting something up because of a love of books... You have to have a business model... you have to move an awful lot of copy [in wealthy countries]”
Source
Rich Countries Are the Most Likely to COLLAPSE | Aaron Bastani Meets John Rapley— Novara MediaCreated: 8/11/2026, 4:59:43 AM
My Notes
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