Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post

Bristol · 08-12-2008, 07:42 PM

While this "scarcity" mindset has been discussed in various forums on various topics, I do see a pattern (This's not meant to be personal about Steve's post at all - merely an observation/opinion...)

<BEGIN OPINION>

People post comments about how other people have a scarcity mindset when something they have been piking is construed as "too expensive" by some people. This stance usually comes across as a defensive posture - one that's designed to somehow elevate the poster to a higher level by dumping those who are having trouble finding a way to pay for the product/service into the "scarcity mindset" stereotype.

Ok, lets see here...

I really really want to buy something worth $2000 (Just an example).

I have, lets say, -$600 in the bank (yes, with a negative sign, happened to me many times)

My essential expenses per month are probably add up to more than $2000.

There's no way I can buy this. If only it were $500 or so, maybe I could have put it on my visa that has barely that much avaialble on it...

Now, if I look at this equation and feel that $2000 is "too high", I got a "scarcity mindset" ?

If only I could think wealthy, I could write a check and the bank would somehow allow it to go through?

These are real, objective numbers - not play-cash in a board game. Either you can afford something or you can't. If you can't and you really would like to have it, the price will appear out of reach, too high, greedy ...whatever.

Yes, one could try not to post something to that effect, and just simply admit that he couldn't afford it, perhaps next time...

Maybe then we can call those people to have a "neutral mindset" or something like that.

Dumping people in a generic "scarcity mindset" group because they can't afford something they would like to have, IMHO, is a sign of arrogance.

Blimey, but mostly these posts are written by people who can afford the prices. Maybe somewhere in the past they couldn't, but now they can. Happens all the time to many people...people in debt work out of it and go on to riches and vice versa.

And now that it's a new world for these people, suddenly, those "down there" have a scarcity mindset...if only they could look at their overdraft bank accounts, speak to the debt collectors, deal with the past due rent and feel wealthy....alas!!!

</END OPINION>

08-12-2008, 07:42 PM	#53 (permalink)
Bristol Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 16	While this "scarcity" mindset has been discussed in various forums on various topics, I do see a pattern (This's not meant to be personal about Steve's post at all - merely an observation/opinion...) <BEGIN OPINION> People post comments about how other people have a scarcity mindset when something they have been piking is construed as "too expensive" by some people. This stance usually comes across as a defensive posture - one that's designed to somehow elevate the poster to a higher level by dumping those who are having trouble finding a way to pay for the product/service into the "scarcity mindset" stereotype. Ok, lets see here... I really really want to buy something worth $2000 (Just an example). I have, lets say, -$600 in the bank (yes, with a negative sign, happened to me many times) My essential expenses per month are probably add up to more than $2000. There's no way I can buy this. If only it were $500 or so, maybe I could have put it on my visa that has barely that much avaialble on it... Now, if I look at this equation and feel that $2000 is "too high", I got a "scarcity mindset" ? If only I could think wealthy, I could write a check and the bank would somehow allow it to go through? These are real, objective numbers - not play-cash in a board game. Either you can afford something or you can't. If you can't and you really would like to have it, the price will appear out of reach, too high, greedy ...whatever. Yes, one could try not to post something to that effect, and just simply admit that he couldn't afford it, perhaps next time... Maybe then we can call those people to have a "neutral mindset" or something like that. Dumping people in a generic "scarcity mindset" group because they can't afford something they would like to have, IMHO, is a sign of arrogance. Blimey, but mostly these posts are written by people who can afford the prices. Maybe somewhere in the past they couldn't, but now they can. Happens all the time to many people...people in debt work out of it and go on to riches and vice versa. And now that it's a new world for these people, suddenly, those "down there" have a scarcity mindset...if only they could look at their overdraft bank accounts, speak to the debt collectors, deal with the past due rent and feel wealthy....alas!!! </END OPINION> Last edited by Bristol; 08-12-2008 at 07:56 PM.