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Unless we stop consuming a finite resource we will eventually run out, by definition. Your argument simply demonstrates how rising prices will lead to extracting 'harder to get' resources. When something is harder to get that means it's scarce, which is the opposite of abundant. In other words, it means we are running out.



"Unless we stop consuming a finite resource we will eventually run out, by definition."

Timescales matter here. If we're going to run out of a "finite" resource in 10 billion years vs. 1,000 years or 10 years it makes all the difference in the actions you take.

Also, when something is "harder to get" it may mean merely that we haven't developed the technology to extract it yet. Aluminum used to be more precious than Gold because it was "harder to get" than Gold, though it was not scarce. And today Aluminum metal is far from scarce and far from expensive.




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