Taxonomy as product

Taxonomists may be described as producers, their productions being the classifications and names of plants. The non-taxonomists may be likened to consumers, the aforesaid classifications and names being the commodities which they consume. Now the characteristics of a commodity are of importance not only to the consumer but also to the producer, since, if the two are to continue in amicable trade relations, they must be satisfied with one another. It must be economic for the consumer to remain the customer of the producer. This the producer seeks to ensure by giving close attention to the standard and utility of his wares. [Good, Ronald. 1935. The real Species Problem. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London 147:107–110.]