Rather than focus on companies, some investors may put money directly into commodities.

Buildings, history and sacred spaces are thus made into commodities for purchase.

Local people and their images can also be turned into commodities" (West, 2006).

"It is true books here have turned into commodities, rather than pieces of art," he said.

"Commodity prices are bound to go down, so it's not a good time for long-term investors to get into commodities," he said.

Nevertheless, she suggests that clients put 5 percent of their portfolios into commodities.

But at the same time their business risk increases because they're moving away from iron ore into traded commodities.

Of course there has been seepage into commodities and assets.

If you are weighing a plunge into commodities, she advised, check your stock portfolio first.

Is it not the case that living systems are being turned into commodities?