I liked your interpretation of TANSTAAFL
Unfortunately there is a tendency to value "free things" as having no value.
Actually tanstaafl (imho) was an explanation to the layman (without getting into the complexities of economics) that as Newton explains "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". Nothing is "Free" because it takes productivity to create .. (someone "HAS" to pay AND DID) for that Free lunch. It IS a concept of balance, there can be no consumption without creation, or "You can't get something for (FROM) nothing"
I would agree with your definition @jtstreetman. As I was first introduced to "TANSTAAFL" by an adamant electronics teacher in college while explaining the characteristics of energy. I like to hear all the interpretations of this idea though. And I think much of the diversity in the discussion comes from the fact that the word "free" has such a varied interpretation as well. I noticed this while reading @williambanks thoughts on this subject. A subject that interests me to a great degree!
as a basically retired electronics tech, I can relate, "conservation of energy" ... same concept ..
as a basically retired electronics tech, I can relate, "conservation of energy" ... same concept ..
HEAR ! lol I am an older guy, so I (Listen) to the concept, NOT pick apart the words that are written, I call that being "Legalistic" ... so many can't grasp the concept because they are dissecting what is written. ie, You wrote here instead of hear, but I understood what you were saying because I listen to the "concept" of what your saying .. People need to understand, the word free, in this case it means "something for nothing " the concept of TANSTAAFL means there is NO SUCH THING AS FREE ... a Dime laying on the street is NOT FREE, it cost YOU energy to reach down and pick it up ... NOTHING is free ... except sunlight .. air is NOT free .. it cost YOU energy to breath it !