Advertising is a unique service business. When limited to the Internet, platform operators gather users and allow them to access the platform for free in exchange for viewing advertisements. In reality, users are not accessing the platform for free; instead, the advertiser pays for it. In other words, users do not fulfill any obligations regarding platform use, while the advertiser assumes those obligations and gains profit by notifying and exposing themselves to the user. The platform operator fulfills its obligation by providing the advertising medium to the advertiser, but does not guarantee the advertisement’s success and is not accountable for the outcomes of the business. Advertising represents one of the few unique transaction structures in the world that satisfies the utility of each party without necessarily attributing benefits to the counterparty meant to receive them. Such an unusual transaction structure has been rare throughout human history. Although the advertising indu...
Tesla earns revenue through car sales, but its real profits come from other sources. Although Hyundai-Kia Motors sells more cars annually than Tesla, it does not have the same profit structure, which is unique to Tesla. Tesla capitalizes on environmental assets by selling carbon credits each year. While the company experiences overall losses in car sales, the sale of these carbon credits results in surplus income, positively affecting its stock price. Traditional automakers contribute to Tesla’s profitability by purchasing cars and paying fines for carbon emissions. This dynamic is also a key reason why Tesla establishes operations in regions with strict pollution regulations. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”