Constrained Resources Are A Good Thing

Resource constraints are often treated as though they are the root of all evil. If only we could somehow escape them, we would be able to live much more fulfilling lives. People would no longer starve, everyone could have a big beautiful house, and everywhere would be safe. While all of these things would be amazing side effects of unconstrained resources, constrained resources in themselves are actually a very good thing. It was once said that necessity is the mother of invention. Resource constraints are one of the clearest examples of this. Resource constraints let people better utilize the resources that they already have. Resource constraints allow people to learn from their mistakes. Limited resources provide an incentive to invent fundamentally new things. Resource constraints reflect the constrained nature of reality and spur humans to innovation that they would not otherwise do.

A recognition of limited resources is the first step for the proper use of them. An understanding of the right amount of resources to use for specific tasks can only be achieved when their finitude and cost is clearly known. Understanding the importance of not going over budget can help people within any form of institution to avoid waste. There will always be waste, but constrained resources make it harder for people to ignore just how destructive improper use is. Every piece of material should be used to further human well-being. Any organization having access to what feels to be unlimited resources will deny this fact, and send resources towards pointless ends. Using resources towards bad ends is always a problem, but happens often because people don’t understand the constraints that make it so dangerous. Because we live in a constrained world, understanding that resources are constrained will naturally align people’s uses of resources with reality rather than enable them to spend money they don’t have. A recognition of limited resources is the basis for all effective action.…