But isn’t the supply / demand dynamic you're describing just another way of describing how much individuals want something? Your belly lint might be completely unique, but that doesn’t make it financially valuable. :)

But yes, I agree, the amount something is necessary for comfortable living connected with its availability does strongly correlate with how much people believe something is valuable which determines their in-the-moment financial transaction leading to price discovery. Even this, however, is still open to manipulation. Some poor families, for existence, may eat terribly cheap, unhealthy food but still own a massive TV purchased on credit for which they pay interest. That’s not rational but, for them, it’s what they believe is valuable that drives their purchasing decisions.