I'm sorry, but I really have a difficult time understanding this thread. However, from some of the words, I can only guess that the OP is trying to deliver his thoughts in a metaphorical way. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Do you mean the "buying of ideas" is the exchange of knowledge between one person and another, affecting the growth of each other?. No one is really knowledgeable without collaborating with others' knowledge. I hope the OP could articulate his opinion better, thou.