Economic Scarcity and a New Abundance

Before civilization, the Earth presented itself to humanity like a chocolate cake poised before an infant. We pursued whatever quality could be wrung from its bare nakedness, and as people began to evolve their ability to organize, this proceeded with a horrifying efficiency.

The same was true of humanity’s relationship to itself, devouring in turn its own through the profit mechanism. Now wealth and that same quality are concentrated in the hands of fewer than ever before. My point isn’t to make moral judgment, but instead I want to point out an idea that caught my interest.

Previously, people could conform in exchange for a relative return and guarantee. It didn’t require much thought to exist, but instead, a middle class existence was somewhat automated. Now the channels of wealth acquisition are whithering on the vine, and people have to adapt. The way people are responding and the metaphysical/spiritual implications are the point of this article.

If people can no longer find work with ease, then they must pursue a more creative purpose in order to survive and thrive. Scarcity is forcing people to adapt and innovate, and not always with apparently rational responses. For example, the man who walked the wire between the Twin Towers. Why would he do that? In another life, he would be fat and content amidst the bounty of the jungle. The Sun would warm his skin, the trees and rich soil would provide for his nourishment, and there would be an abundance of women to mate and raise a family with. Now, he is required to work for resources, but jobs and money are more scarce, and so his dreams of a family, friendship, and opportunity are threatened. How does a person respond in this context? Some become entrepreneurs and start businesses. Others push the boundaries of human behavior and take risks.

It’s interesting to fantasize about the Universe creating scarcity on some planes in order to force human beings to manifest diversity in others. If I can no longer raise a family on a factory job, and if jobs are scarce in general, how can I find a mate, raise a family, travel, build a home, etc? As time goes on, the pressure builds, and I decide to change my behavior in order to cope to this changing internal environment. I start doing odd things, taking risks, creating from a deeper place in my soul. The world starts to reap a new bounty, new cake is to be had, and perhaps its all part of a grand plan of the Universe itself.