Jeneane,

Your post crossed mine in the ether. I think I understand your examples, and agree thatthose are Good Things, but I also think that fewer businesses than you think can profit from such intangibles. I'm posted out now, but will flesh that idea out later.
In the meantime, take a look at the math in my last post. I think of myself as having a pretty simple objection to the general applicability of GM -- as the Santa Fe folks say, "More is different" -- so tell me if I'm expressing it clearly.

-clay