Illusion of scarcity

Our consumerist existence operates on the concept of scarcity. We are made to believe that the things we have become obsolete, that the sales on offer are for a limited time, that the goods we buy today will no longer be there tomorrow…so don’t miss out!

This is the single most fundamental lie that has skewed the way we live dramatically.

The reality is that scarcity only exists in certain things that are truly finite and that all others are ‘scarce’ only by virtue of this fundamental lie. In order to occupy our minds, our effort and our time, society is built on scarcity, depreciation and obsolescence. Otherwise we would have the time and energy to devote to other meaningful, more rewarding, knowledge building activities that destabilise the status quo.

This upcoming festive season is usually the time when the illusion of scarcity is perpetuated. Why not consider your next purchase with the knowledge that whichever way you look at it, you are being fed lies about the scarcity of the item you want, its value to you and those you care about, the opportunity costs associated with parting with your hard earned. If you spend what you have [or in most cases spending what you don’t have] you are forgoing the opportunity to do something else more meaningful. You are spending your time, which is truly finite.

So why not give the gift of experience which is one of  a few things that recognises true scarcity. Time is more scarce than anything. There are no illusions. Try and remove yourself from the illusions of scarcity that are perpetuated during the coming weeks and understand that time is the single most valuable commodity…and there’s not much of it!