Post-scarcity

The post-scarcity age is an anticipated period where due to advancing technology and efficient use of natural resources there will be a great abundance of the material items that people require, acheived with a minimal impact to the environment.

When civilization reaches this point, everything from basics like clean water, nutritious food, medicine and suitable housing to less essential material goods like vehicles, computers, mobile phones and all the way up to purely luxury goods, will be available 'on tap' to all people.

Abundance of the fundamental resources

But do we really have the resources for this kind of society?

Despite the impression given today, the basic resources for any civilization - material, energy and intelligence - are not in short supply in the slightest, in fact we would be very hard pressed to make even the slightest dent in terms of 'using up' the available capacity.

It is the current inefficient methods of use (and re-use) and perceived economic restrictions that make it appear that there are critical limitations of these resources.

See fundamental resources for further information of availability of resources.