身边的经济学·社会常识英语30篇（1）
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Why Bigger Factories Often Make Things Cheaper
规模经济与边际成本
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When a bakery doubles its output, it doesn’t need to double ovens, staff, or rent—so cost per loaf drops.
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This idea, called ‘economies of scale,’ explains why mass-produced phones cost less than handmade ones—even with better parts.
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Marginal cost is what it takes to make *one more* item—often far less than the average once systems run smoothly.
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But scaling up has limits: overcrowded factories cause delays, and giant supply chains become fragile during shocks.
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Streaming services spent billions on tech and licenses—then added millions of users at almost zero extra cost per person.
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Small farms may pay more per kilogram to ship vegetables, but they gain flexibility and closer ties to local buyers.
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Scale isn’t magic—it’s about matching size to purpose, not chasing ‘bigger’ for its own sake.
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Smart growth asks: ‘Where does adding more actually help—and where does it just add noise?’