Difference between revisions of "Existing scarcity"
From AdCiv
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*High quality, interesting education | *High quality, interesting education | ||
*Safe and efficient transportation that doesn't kill passengers or contribute to changing our climate | *Safe and efficient transportation that doesn't kill passengers or contribute to changing our climate | ||
| − | *The facilities for people to do more things for themselves - we are too reliant on machines and products from big business | + | *The facilities for people and communities to do more things for themselves - we are too reliant on machines and products from big business |
*Resources to get things done that need to be done - at a community level {{em}} sounds a bit woolly but covers uncountable worthy projects that simply don't get done through lack of funds or bureaucratic interference | *Resources to get things done that need to be done - at a community level {{em}} sounds a bit woolly but covers uncountable worthy projects that simply don't get done through lack of funds or bureaucratic interference | ||
*Quality - quality products and architecture as examples. | *Quality - quality products and architecture as examples. | ||
Revision as of 22:03, 4 December 2008
So what surmountable scarcity exists today?
All the usual suspects, and a lot applies as much to Western countries as it does to the developing world.
- Clean energy
- Clean water
- Nutritious food
- Medicine and medical facilities
- Decent housing in slum areas
- High quality, interesting education
- Safe and efficient transportation that doesn't kill passengers or contribute to changing our climate
- The facilities for people and communities to do more things for themselves - we are too reliant on machines and products from big business
- Resources to get things done that need to be done - at a community level — sounds a bit woolly but covers uncountable worthy projects that simply don't get done through lack of funds or bureaucratic interference
- Quality - quality products and architecture as examples.
- Time - people's time. Time to follow things important to the individual. Time for other people.
Causes
- Lack of appropriate technology
- Locked-up resources
- Short-term thinking
- Inadequate co-operation (lack of communication and sharing of knowledge)
- Self-interest (at many levels)
- Bureaucracy
- Lack of trust
- Ignorance
- and perhaps surprisingly, and in no small part, monetary economics
See also
- Scarcity
(Wikipedia entry) - Post-scarcity
- Mankind's fundamental resources
