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D: You spokeofcommerce. Would you tellme more aboutthat? P: There is commerce between those on the planets and those who are from other planets and other systems. Some of the metals which are mined on the planet and are abundant are needed in other areas where these metals are not so abundant, and so com- : Is this the main thing thatyou export orwould that be the rightword? That is an entirely appropriate term. That is not the only thing however. There are vegetables and fruits which are also exported What kind of things would be imported, thatyou don'thave on that eT. 49 planet? There are some metals imported which are useful in construc- tion and which are not indigenous to the planet. There are medical supplies as well. There are other systems which have reached avery high state of medical technology and they import their "medicines," quote, unquote. There are also knowledge and techniques of living which are imported, knowledge of how to make life better and how to make life easier. n What doyou use as a medium ofexchange when ou importand export? There is no money as such. This is a barter system. Five pounds of ore could be exchanged for five pounds of knowledge. This is an example only and not to be taken literally. : Because it would be hardto weigh knowledge. re] Exactly. : Doyou ever have anyproblems with anyone trying to cheat in this type of a system? That would be impossible because of the openness with which we deal. We are completely honest, as we have discussed earlier. We 44 CHAPTER 6 THE ENERGY DIRECTOR merce is established in mining.