Humans are irrational beings. We have unlimited wants and the resources available to cater to them are limited. That is why the scale of preference comes in to make sure you use the available resources for your most pressing need.
Then why do you have to say Humans are irrational creatures? Meanwhile, every human being can think of using the resources that have been provided by nature. I think humans are quite rational creatures in using something they deem important so I don't think it's appropriate to say it's irrational even if you have a comparison for their preferences. 
Topic: Scarcity and scale of preference - page 2. (Read 348 times)
There are enough resources to sustain basic quality of human life. Birth rates are going down in most countries anyways so the unrestricted exponential population growth is going to level out at some point -- though for economic purposes, it's good to have a large working population that will be able to subsidize the older demographic (which will eventually become the largest demographic if birth rates don't keep up and life expectancy goes up).
Seems like doosmday hysteria when people suggest we'll run out of resources.
Seems like doosmday hysteria when people suggest we'll run out of resources.
Have anyone here had ever read about the pyramid of Maslow? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs).
Before talking about necessities of humanity we need to know where the most of the population is currently at and where we want humanity to be.
Ideally we want all people to reach the top of the graph and develop the maximum of the capacities,so they can provide their families and society, however, we can agree that the resources needed for personal development increases while we advance upwards.
If we want to continue to advance, the governments of the world need either to restrict the growth of population or increase the amount of resources and space for human development, that is the motivation behind the spacial exploration, in my eyes, by the way, in the future we will need to send human to the moon and mars, for civil purposes.
That is just my opinion, of course.
Before talking about necessities of humanity we need to know where the most of the population is currently at and where we want humanity to be.
Ideally we want all people to reach the top of the graph and develop the maximum of the capacities,so they can provide their families and society, however, we can agree that the resources needed for personal development increases while we advance upwards.
If we want to continue to advance, the governments of the world need either to restrict the growth of population or increase the amount of resources and space for human development, that is the motivation behind the spacial exploration, in my eyes, by the way, in the future we will need to send human to the moon and mars, for civil purposes.
That is just my opinion, of course.
Maslow's pyramid? Tremendous, folks! A masterpiece in human psychology. Before we talk about what people need, let's understand who we are and where we're headed. Our mission? Help everyone reach the top of the pyramid, unlock their potential, and make America - and the world - great!
But moving up isn't easy. Personal growth needs resources, and they're not endless. We need to face it: either limit population growth or find more resources and space. It's that simple.
Space exploration? It's huge! By conquering new planets, we create opportunities and unleash our full power. Sending people to the moon and Mars? Absolutely necessary for self-actualization. Let's climb the pyramid and make Earth great for everyone
The resources needed to satisfy all the want of human being are said not to be enough compared to all the want of humans we have many want we would like to satisfy at any given point in time which we may not be able to meet up with due to economic problems scales of preference simple is setting our needs inorder of priority.
This is only half true, it is true that we cannot satisfy the wants of very single person around the world as our resources are limited, but I do not know if you have noticed but thanks to the advancement of our technology and our knowledge we have now many more resources than what we had a century ago, so if humans are able to master technologies like fusion power then satisfying our wants will become way more likely and the majority will enjoy improved life conditions as well.Realistically advancement of science and technology have provided humans with millions of facilities which they are using.
The resources needed to satisfy all the want of human being are said not to be enough compared to all the want of humans we have many want we would like to satisfy at any given point in time which we may not be able to meet up with due to economic problems scales of preference simple is setting our needs inorder of priority.
This is only half true, it is true that we cannot satisfy the wants of very single person around the world as our resources are limited, but I do not know if you have noticed but thanks to the advancement of our technology and our knowledge we have now many more resources than what we had a century ago, so if humans are able to master technologies like fusion power then satisfying our wants will become way more likely and the majority will enjoy improved life conditions as well. 
Have anyone here had ever read about the pyramid of Maslow? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs).
Before talking about necessities of humanity we need to know where the most of the population is currently at and where we want humanity to be.
Ideally we want all people to reach the top of the graph and develop the maximum of the capacities,so they can provide their families and society, however, we can agree that the resources needed for personal development increases while we advance upwards.
If we want to continue to advance, the governments of the world need either to restrict the growth of population or increase the amount of resources and space for human development, that is the motivation behind the spacial exploration, in my eyes, by the way, in the future we will need to send human to the moon and mars, for civil purposes.
That is just my opinion, of course.
Before talking about necessities of humanity we need to know where the most of the population is currently at and where we want humanity to be.
Ideally we want all people to reach the top of the graph and develop the maximum of the capacities,so they can provide their families and society, however, we can agree that the resources needed for personal development increases while we advance upwards.
If we want to continue to advance, the governments of the world need either to restrict the growth of population or increase the amount of resources and space for human development, that is the motivation behind the spacial exploration, in my eyes, by the way, in the future we will need to send human to the moon and mars, for civil purposes.
That is just my opinion, of course.
Humans are irrational beings. We have unlimited wants and the resources available to cater to them are limited. That is why the scale of preference comes in to make sure you use the available resources for your most pressing need.
I don't think it's that simple. I do agree that needs should be prioritized, and in terms of what we need, we have plenty to cover various worst global issues, such as basic food, housing, minimal resources to live a decent life. Humanity produces enough, but the distribution is so wild and ridiculous that millions are still dying from hunger and there are lots of homeless people. As for the wants, I suppose there's never enough to satisfy the total wants in the sense that there are always some people that simply want too much, but there's also this aspect that with many cases, people don't know what they'll want in case something is created. I guess it's a point similar to what hugeblack is saying in the thread.
For example, nobody in 1950s wanted to be a TikTok influencer (because there was no Internet, no social media, no market for all this), whereas now it's a thing that many people want. But while our resources are growing, and sometimes new products create new demand (not just the other way around), the wants probably outweigh the resources, but that's just because humanity needs to work on the wants.
For example, nobody in 1950s wanted to be a TikTok influencer (because there was no Internet, no social media, no market for all this), whereas now it's a thing that many people want. But while our resources are growing, and sometimes new products create new demand (not just the other way around), the wants probably outweigh the resources, but that's just because humanity needs to work on the wants.
I guess what OP is trying to say is that "human wants are insatiable". Since resources are limited and scarce we should have a scale of preference is the only way to make sure the resources we have available are enough for us.
Your words are correct, but there are always sufficient resources to cover those desires, as the increase in desires means that there is a demand, and therefore ideas are generated to meet that demand.
Thus, even if the resources are scarce, there are enough ideas to convert untapped resources into materials fit for human use.
Let us take an example of water desalination. In the past, people relied on rain water and rivers, but the increase in population density forced them to desalinate sea water until the waste water was reused.
Not all of our needs are met by the majority of people, often the only needs we meet always depend on the budget we only have, and when there is too much, the things that we can tolerate not taking first are done and tolerated first let's
But of course, sometimes because we want to get what we think we need even if our budget is tight, we make it a way just to get it. Because we are determined to make it happen.
But of course, sometimes because we want to get what we think we need even if our budget is tight, we make it a way just to get it. Because we are determined to make it happen.
I guess what OP is trying to say is that "human wants are insatiable". Since resources are limited and scarce we should have a scale of preference is the only way to make sure the resources we have available are enough for us.
Your words are correct, but there are always sufficient resources to cover those desires, as the increase in desires means that there is a demand, and therefore ideas are generated to meet that demand.
Thus, even if the resources are scarce, there are enough ideas to convert untapped resources into materials fit for human use.
Let us take an example of water desalination. In the past, people relied on rain water and rivers, but the increase in population density forced them to desalinate sea water until the waste water was reused.
The economic impact will leads to the economic crisis.This economic crisis is not the new concept,we had faced the lot economic crisis during Covid 19.The best way to target the economic crisis by make some savings before the COVID started again.The person who earn more money can afford many things,but the people who afford less money will earn less money is the reason.To satisfy one need,he need to multiply his income by different manner.When the money was raised,he can use that money to multiply by resources like share market.Then inverse in cryptocurrency to know the exact value of crypto currency trading.
a person's wants always grow whenever he has the capacity to pay for them.
this is just an example though but let's say a person works as a railway constructor, his money can only afford a burger and a bottle of water for a meal. but after a while, his boss raises his salary for being punctual. now he can afford a burger and a soda and a cigar.
while a cigar and soda are not really necessary like he needs them but because he wants them, he buys them. this is what i think OP means.
I do not think that this saying is correct. When our requirements were primitive... so the next wealth may be close or even outside the planet. 
I also do not agree that your saying is true (no offense) because there are three types of people in the world, they belong to high, middle and lower class. The people of high class face no problems in availability of any needed resources like USA, Saudi Arabia etc. Why? Understand this with an example of electricity. There is 24 hours availability of electricity in both countries but middle class countries face 6 hour outage of electricity while the lower once face 12 hours outage of electricity isn't it a big difference between the availability of a resource "electricity"?Yeah there is no doubt in saying that necessity is the mother of invention. As the invention occurred then there comes some people who try to control that resources accordingly.
The last that might be true, as I have heard scientist have found a "Golden Asteroid" in space which contains $10,000 quadrillion worth of assets in Gold, Nickel and Iron.(source).
what else can we discover. I just wish it is not another virus.
I don't think viruses are any type of discoveries instead they are inventions of bio-scientists. One thing i had heard a lot that, the chances of atomic war is zero because the next war is going to be the bio war (war of chemicals). COVID-19 was just an example. I also hope this comes to an end soon. Ameen. 
Resources are scarce and that's why there have been conspiracies about reducing the world's population for the rest of the number will have enough resources for everybody.
The thought and process of our minds thinking that we've got enough resources because of our situation and if we're in a better one then that's good for us. It's because not everybody is having fortunate things in life and that can be seen that there's a scarcity of resources because even for basic needs and necessities, there goes a lack for those unfortunate people given the situation of their lives. But we don't go stop from there because it's a discussion that will get a lot of good points being the actuality of it and then the meaning of opposing thoughts about it proving that everyone has a valid point. On the early days, there have been explorations and expeditions made by those great travelers through the seas and I agree on HB that soon, we'll go travel and get resources outside the Earth and getting those materials and new discoveries through the other planets. It has all started several decades ago but it won't stop there and we're not even close to an inch of that discovery because the universe is vast.
The thought and process of our minds thinking that we've got enough resources because of our situation and if we're in a better one then that's good for us. It's because not everybody is having fortunate things in life and that can be seen that there's a scarcity of resources because even for basic needs and necessities, there goes a lack for those unfortunate people given the situation of their lives. But we don't go stop from there because it's a discussion that will get a lot of good points being the actuality of it and then the meaning of opposing thoughts about it proving that everyone has a valid point. On the early days, there have been explorations and expeditions made by those great travelers through the seas and I agree on HB that soon, we'll go travel and get resources outside the Earth and getting those materials and new discoveries through the other planets. It has all started several decades ago but it won't stop there and we're not even close to an inch of that discovery because the universe is vast.
I think life is very simple but humans complicate it with endless unimportant pseudo-need-priority like need. And it goes on and on to create more scarcity of resources to satisfy our psuedo-need. Granted there are real needs and wants but they seem far from achievable because of too many economic problems.
But in reality, it is either we get one or the other. It is a trade. A trade - the most urgent need to the least urgent.
In doing so,we are making choices and setting priorities in allocating limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants and needs.
By doing this, we are choosing and establishing priorities in the allocation of finite resources to meet infinite wants and requirements.
But in reality, it is either we get one or the other. It is a trade. A trade - the most urgent need to the least urgent.
In doing so,we are making choices and setting priorities in allocating limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants and needs.
By doing this, we are choosing and establishing priorities in the allocation of finite resources to meet infinite wants and requirements.
The angle of Thomas Hobbes in the lawlessness of human desire is also a key factor not to undermine the usefulness of law in the need and desire of human.
There is the aspect of human wants that I think law has curtail in regards to how people would desire to live their lives and treat other people. Left for human crude nature, some desires and want may be weigh out of board. Some certain cultures may have been sustained if not for abolishment through law.
There is also a place of modernity in the scheme of things to the rise in the human wants. During the medieval period where the economic sustainability of the society was majorly built on trade by barter, I think these wants were suppressed not that they didn't exist.
The resources needed to satisfy all the want of human being are said not to be enough compared to all the want of humans we have many want we would like to satisfy at any given point in time which we may not be able to meet up with due to economic problems scales of preference simple is setting our needs inorder of priority.
The order of priority will depend on the position of different people, if you ask me about this priority, then the definite answer is meeting enough needs, paying for children's education, investing according to ability and having a little savings for urgent needs. That's why I would say there is a lot of difference when it comes to managing needs and ultimately spending money as a form of planning rather than fulfilling a lifestyle. A simple preference scale is to arrange our needs in order of priority, but everyone's priorities will be different and never the same in terms of arranging needs.If people know the level of priority needed, then that person must have a pattern in managing finances and most people are stuck with an excessive lifestyle that doesn't adjust to abilities, that's why financial chaos is getting more complicated and difficult to control.
The resources needed to satisfy all the want of human being are said not to be enough compared to all the want of humans we have many want we would like to satisfy at any given point in time which we may not be able to meet up with due to economic problems scales of preference simple is setting our needs inorder of priority.
Scale of preference and choice is a must in a world that is faced with a scarcity of resources. This scarcity is man-made because I think nature gave enough resources to each nation. But greed and materialism have made some people control these resources using the instrument of government or businesses connected to the government. These set of people make laws that will favor them and their cronies to enable them to have more access to financial power. An example is the intentional acts of the government of my nation to frustrate the businesses of other entrepreneurs because they want the business of their financiers to enjoy a monopoly. For one to survive in this world currently, financial planning is a topmost priority, except if you want to live on credit and loans. 
The endless research and discovery that we people do, the more resources we'll need. It's not only to satisfy our needs as a human but also experimenting for us to find the most convenient things that might saved us energy and help us such as cars, motors, machine and many more. But despite those improvements, the more we greed for improvements the more resources we eat. This will lead to scarcity, people find that we could circulate the resources as we return what we took. For example, for every tree we cut, the 10 tree plants we plant for the trade. Since it will take years for trees to grow as they help us to give oxygen that's why most country side have a nice fresh air and unpolluted.
I think life is very simple but humans complicate it with endless unimportant pseudo-need-priority like need. And it goes on and on to create more scarcity of resources to satisfy our psuedo-need. Granted there are real needs and wants but they seem far from achievable because of too many economic problems.
But in reality, it is either we get one or the other. It is a trade. A trade - the most urgent need to the least urgent.
In doing so,we are making choices and setting priorities in allocating limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants and needs.
By doing this, we are choosing and establishing priorities in the allocation of finite resources to meet infinite wants and requirements.
But in reality, it is either we get one or the other. It is a trade. A trade - the most urgent need to the least urgent.
In doing so,we are making choices and setting priorities in allocating limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants and needs.
By doing this, we are choosing and establishing priorities in the allocation of finite resources to meet infinite wants and requirements.
Jump to: