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I also like the example where if you break someone’s window and they fix it for $300, that’s at least an extra $300 in GDP.

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But they would have spent the 300 on something else

No, many people save their money.

The point is that someone who spent 300$ to be in the exact same situation as they were before but the gdp seemingly is doing well. So they could have had a window and a sofa but only have a window in the example. So the gdp is increased but the people are not better of.

This example also cuts into personal efficiency going up. Not needing a car or burning gas because of a badly insulated house is negative for the gdp but good for the wealth of individuals.

The best example is:

I give you $10,000 to eat a pile of shit.

You give me $10,000 to eat a pile of shit.

What's the result?

Two shit-eating grins and $20,000 added to the GDP.

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