Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Post scarcity
A post-scarcity economy is a hypothetical form of economy or society, often explored in science fiction, in which valuable things (material, energy or information) are free or practically free, creating abundance. Market economy and command economy may be unnecessary post-scarcity, though a gift economy may take their place.
More speculative forms of Nanotechnology (such as molecular assemblers or nanofactories) raises the possibility of devices that can manufacture goods out of any material. Zero-point energy theoretically offers unlimited energy.
Post-scarcity societies may have economies based on exchange of other scarce things, such as reputation (see Whuffie), attention or expertise.
Fictional post-scarcity socities include the Bitchun Society and The Culture.
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