Yeah another word is niche.
You know some people also trade sexual favours for food or goods. Doesn't make that something the rest of the world will also copy.
Trade is one thing but as i pointed out it's a limited system if others don't see what you're using as currency valuable to them. Like a college or large supplier.
Hence aa you said "localized economy" but again that's just by a small group that agree to it. Hive stays small because only a small amount of people agree Hive has value. The blogging industry is HUGE but Hive isn't even enticing to them.
From little things, big things grow.
I'm not sure why you are even here on HIVE if you have this view. Why are you wasting your time? Or wasting mine for that matter?