The Millennia Challenge involves solving the Value Problem:

how to decide the best use of a thing or a things greatest value in use.

My hypothesis is that if the use of a thing increases available and accessible phi then that is the best use of a thing.

Phi or the letter O with a vertical line represents energy in its social form and measures the capacity of a system to bring about change.

A calculation made theoretically possible because all things of use objectively possess a shared characteristic or universal measure of equivalence in their ability to bring about change over time. Something I describe in my work as as phi - Φ.

Based on this understanding of value in use, I’ve gone on to propose that the mechanism by which value in use increases or decreases can be understood using a simplified energetic model comprising:

sources of value in use physical and fiat capitals; and
prime movers that transform those sources of value into new ( and either greater or lesser) sources of value in use .

Why does value in use matter and why bother theorizing about the best use of a thing.

At an elemental level, value in use is a predictor of sustainability and the generation of the conditions that are necessary for life and longevity. Other factors remaining constant, a society tends to thrive as the value in use, available and accessible per capita and across all capitals, increases. Likewise, a reduction in either or both the sources in value or the number and types of prime movers required to generate value in use from them, is a harbinger of decline. Put simply, if less useful things exist (whether by action or omission) fewer useful things can be done.