Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much

Discuss the concept of the “focus dividend” and its potential benefits and drawbacks. Can the focus dividend be sustainably harnessed without falling into the scarcity trap?

How do Mullainathan and Shafir differentiate between scarcity in classical economics and the broader, more nuanced approach to scarcity they propose? Discuss the implications of their approach for economic theory and policy.

Reflect on the authors’ suggestion that abundance can lead to scarcity through neglected planning and overconfidence. Which economic events illustrate this cycle? How do such cycles appear in individual lives?

Evaluate the impact of scarcity on educational outcomes, especially for students from low-income backgrounds. How can educational institutions implement changes based on the book’s findings to support these students more effectively?

What are the potential societal benefits of measuring Gross National Bandwidth alongside traditional economic indicators? Speculate on how such measurements could influence public policy. What would be the potential weaknesses or drawbacks?

Explore the ethical considerations of using scarcity-induced focus (the focus dividend) in work and educational settings. Is it possible to ethically leverage scarcity without exacerbating its negative effects? Why or why not?

What are some of the strategies the authors suggest in managing scarcity? What other strategies or factors, if any, have they overlooked?

Discuss the implications of tunneling on long-term planning and goal achievement. Have you experienced the effects of tunneling in your own life? In what ways, if any, has reading Scarcity changed your understanding of your own and others’ response to scarcity?