# The Value Gap A value gap lies between the intrinsic value of nature and its instrumental value as perceived by society. This dichotomy is further illustrated by contrasting ecocentric and anthropocentric values. Consider the following reflections: > *“**How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them from us?**”* > > -1854, Chief Seattle to the US Government > *“**Buy land, they're not making it anymore.**”* > > -Mark Twain The BASIN Protocol bridges this relational value gap. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.basin.global/protocol/the-value-gap.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.