Someone swinging a pickaxe looking for gold veins—isn't that mining in its purest form?

Here's the thing: most real-world resource extraction is basically a calculated gamble. You're betting your drilling site or dig location actually holds enough of whatever you're after to make the whole operation worth it. Sure, modern tech has made it less of a shot in the dark, but the fundamental principle remains unchanged.

The parallel to crypto mining? Pretty straightforward when you think about it. Both involve committing resources upfront with uncertain returns.