[gottorf]

This hypothesis presupposes the "manna from heaven" concept of wealth, which isn't how it works. Wealth is what people want[0]. There isn't a real limit to what people want, so there's no real limit to what wealth can be created, either.

Even on a deserted with five people, there isn't a fixed amount of wealth that can be divided over those five people. A fixed amount of land? Sure. Maybe a fixed amount of rocks and trees? Okay. But there's no fixed amount of the ingenuity and labor that is required to convert those natural resources into things actually desired by people, like a roof over one's head or warmth during a cold night.

And some people are more industrious and clever than others and therefore are better at meeting people's needs and being compensated for it.

[0]: https://paulgraham.com/wealth.html

[vonjuice]

> And some people are more industrious and clever than others and therefore are better at meeting people's needs and being compensated for it.

You could replace the words industrious and clever with manipulative and abusive, and where does that lead you?