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The force of capital

Humans value scarcity, but are consumed by abundance. This was a good thing when abundance was ephemeral or seasonal. We were careful with scarce resources and quick to take advantage of the occasional gifts and bonanzas.

But when the good things become abundant, we waste away our scarce resources, or worse, effect scarcity in the unlikeliest of places.


In this instance, it seems that the scale of quinoa's rise as an important health food has exported abundance to those who merely consume quinoa, while importing scarcity into the lives of those who do value the grain.

The invisible hand won't just create or honor capital, but force it until it is spent.

Sounds familiar.



 


Comments

  1. AditiJanuary 28, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    Pretty sad. Thanks for the enlightening post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ScorpionFebruary 1, 2013 at 8:44 PM

    Sad indeed, but isn't this what the world is all about? Nothing against anyone, but I completely distrust the media. I only trust specific contributors...again I don't know about Joanna but it seems like she is funded by Quinoa's competition.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RamFebruary 3, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    agreed... we have to see behind the reporting. capital was all about extracting "value" -- a process of making meaning. it has now become an arms race of "pushing" meaning based on demand. capitalist as creator has moved on to capitalist as a deliverer of experience. sometimes, to surprising consequences because he doesn't understand the scale at which he is operating now.

    ReplyDelete

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