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Scarcity

304 pages, 2014

Takeaways
Description
From the authors of the widely discussed Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much, here is a fresh and fascinating look at how scarcity—and our flawed responses to it—shapes our lives, our society, and our culture. In a provocative examination of how scarcity—and our flawed responses to it—shapes our lives, society, and culture, Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir explain why successful people get things done at the eleventh hour; why poverty persists in the face of government aid; why organizations get stuck in firefighting mode; why the lonely find it is hard to make friends; and much more. Their answers hinge on one core idea: We all respond to incentives, but the cues that trigger poor decisions differ for those living under financial pressure.
Understanding Scarcity

In the book Scarcity, Sendhil Mullainathan explores the concept of scarcity and how it impacts our lives. He explains that scarcity isn't just about physical resources, but also about time and mental capacity. This means that when we're short on time or mental energy, we can experience the same effects as when we're short on money or food.

Effects of Scarcity

Mullainathan's research shows that scarcity can actually change the way we think. When we're in a state of scarcity, we tend to focus on immediate needs and neglect long-term planning. This can lead to a cycle of scarcity, where we're constantly dealing with immediate problems and never getting ahead.

Scarcity and Decision Making

Scarcity can also affect our decision-making abilities. According to the book, when we're experiencing scarcity, we're more likely to make mistakes and poor decisions because we're focused on the immediate problem and not thinking clearly about the consequences.

Breaking the Cycle of Scarcity

The good news is that we can break the cycle of scarcity. Sendhil Mullainathan suggests that by understanding how scarcity affects our thinking, we can develop strategies to manage our resources better, make better decisions, and escape the scarcity trap.

Practical Applications of Scarcity

Finally, the book Scarcity doesn't just explore the theory of scarcity, it also provides practical advice on how to apply these insights in our daily lives. Whether you're struggling with time management, financial planning, or just feeling overwhelmed, this book can help you understand why and give you tools to overcome it.

Quotes 3

Scarcity is a captivating book, brimming with a fascinating insight and a message of real significance.

Bill GatesBill Gates - Microsoft Co-founder

Scarcity is a new and exciting area in behavioral science; Mullainathan and Shafir explore it wonderfully.

Daniel KahnemanDaniel Kahneman - Nobel Laureate Economist

Scarcity is a book that is novel, rich, and insightful, and very, very important.

Steven D. LevittSteven D. Levitt - Freakonomics Author
Bill GatesDaniel KahnemanSteven D. Levitt

Recommendations

2
Esther Dyson, entrepreneur and journalist and venture capitalist and author, Recommending BestBooks

Esther Dyson

entrepreneurjournalistventure capitalistauthor
authorDaniel Kahneman, educator and investor and scientist and author, Recommending BestBooks

Daniel Kahneman

educatorinvestorscientistauthor

Scarcity found in libraries

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