Two Minutes: Scracity

(N.) c. 1300, from Old North French escarcete (Old French escharsete), from eschars (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=scarcity&allowed_in_frame=0)

Does not negate abundance (antonym), but does put it in place, mostly by relating it geographically, by individual, market, nation-state or region. Creates an impression that something cannot be done for lack of a certain resource in another location (and the implied impossibility of sharing the resource, as it would be unfair to the place it is currently abundant in). Reversely, scarcity (whether present or potential) is also used to justify preemptive incursions to preserve future abundance.

Creates competition and struggle. A scarcity of attention and time is distributed amongst a multitude (or superabundance) of voices and topics- creating a market for loud shouts and polemic, statements, allowing for the surfacing of a dominant voice that is amplified (rendered abundant), after which the voice, though abundant, becomes scarce (and has an interest in maintaining an abundance of presence and relevance vs. scarcely anything new to say). Also used as a means of control- perceptions of needs create an ongoing scarcity of material resources (see: finances, rent, bills), which has to be continuously opposed in by competing and labouring for the resources needed to maintain current abundance vs. personal scarcity. Occasionally results in the perception of a scarcity of self amidst an abundance of aqcuisition.

Can foster division as the perception of scarcity embeds itself into personal lives. Can also be overcome with common sense.

related questions: is the perception of what is scarce and what needs to be abundant created an upheld? can this be influenced by withholding commodities?

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