Abundance Isn’t Just More—It Completely Changes What Matters

Remember the days when buying an album or a movie was a special treat, saved up for and replayed to exhaustion? Since music, movies, and even news became almost endlessly available online—often for free—we’ve all noticed that the thrill of rarity fades in a flood of choices. Yet, while everyone celebrates abundance, it brings unexpected consequences: suddenly, attention, focus, and curation become more valuable than ownership.

The psychology of abundance is counterintuitive. When a resource moves from scarce to plentiful, our emotional response shifts; what we value migrates upstream. Centuries ago, salt and clothing were precious, sometimes even used as currency. Today, salt is on every table and fast fashion fills closets, but we crave authenticity, durability, or unique style that sets us apart.

With food, the Green Revolution made calories cheaper than ever, shifting health concerns from hunger to obesity. In the information age, the scarcity is not in information but in human attention—a classic insight known as “the poverty of attention.”

Behavorial science shows we consistently take abundance for granted and look elsewhere for new things to desire. Maslow’s hierarchy captures this in psychology: when basic needs are met, we seek higher-level meaning, identity, or esteem. Understanding this pattern empowers you to ride value-shifts, find growth where others feel overwhelmed, and intentionally grow what matters to you most.

Think about one thing in your life that’s now virtually unlimited—maybe it's free music, non-stop streaming shows, or social media feeds. Take a moment to ask yourself: what used to feel special about it? Then look closer and see where your true scarcity has moved—maybe it's your ability to focus, or finding trustworthy recommendations. Guide your attention to invest more in what’s rare for you now, like deeper relationships or genuine experiences, rather than letting abundance dull your appreciation. Try this with just one area today and notice the shift.