Far from being a self-enclosed system, capitalism is unable to create most of the skills,
relations, and resources it needs to function. Capitalist accumulation depends on
converting stuff created in varied ways, including photosynthesis and animal metabolism,
into capitalist commodities. Capitalist commodities thus come into value by using—and
obviating—non-capitalist social relations, human and non-human. How is this done? This
article shows the importance of assessment practices in creating commodity value from
non-capitalist value forms. Sorting mushrooms offers a startlingly clear example, because
the mushrooms are basically unchanged except for sorting. Yet, similar practices are found
in many commodity chains. Alienation cannot be taken for granted; it must be built into
the commodity.