Self-reliance may be a virtuous concept to some, but it is very impractical. We are all better off by spending our working day on tasks that we are skilled and qualified to accomplish. The income we earn from this activity will necessarily be greater if we aren't distracted by having to do additional chores to support ourselves. Adam Smith was the first to understand and explain this simple concept. In other words, outsourcing is the main source of productivity.
More productive workers tend to earn more than less productive ones.
So they have a higher standard of living because they have the purchasing power to buy more. In addition, productivity growth moderates inflationary pressures. The Internet is a revolutionary new technology. Yet, at the same time, it's greatest contribution is to promote the ongoing evolution in outsourcing, thus boosting productivity. More specifically, e-commerce markets will increasingly allow businesses to focus on their most profitable activities and outsource everything else from human resources to legal services.