The fact was that at this time such staples as toilet paper were in short supply, and anyone lucky enough to happen upon a roll would in all probability retain it for their own use. Even when the supply was restored, people had become so used to taking their toilet paper with them that they continued to do so as a matter of course, so that however often the toilet paper dispensers were refilled, they would be emptied again within hours. Eventually the staff gave up on replacing toilet paper, and everyone was left to look after their own needs.
We live in a world governed by a series of interconnected myths which affect our perceptions of reality. Among these, the myth of scarcity is particularly noteworthy. For this myth to operate does not require any actual shortage, but merely the illusion. If we accept that a resource is scarce, it swiftly becomes so as consumers rush to buy up the last of dwindling stocks. As a result, the merest hint of scarcity is enough to set The Game in motion, and once it begins the fear of losing out on limited resources is enough to keep the participants constantly feeling threatened.
Scarcity introduces us to the notion of a zero-sum game in which every pro generates a con, and for every winner there must be an equal and opposite loser. An oppositional system therefore arises, in which everyone is out for himself at the expense of his neighbour. The aim is to take advantage of resources while they last and consume them at such a rate as will deprive our competitors of their prize. This Game generates a society in which everyone feels threatened by everyone else, and so becomes increasingly isolated and self-interested. And so it goes on.
Keeping one’s head above the fray becomes a real challenge in this game. Charting a straight course through life becomes extremely next to impossible. Morality gives way to expediency as all pay lip service to having the noblest of intentions but no one follows through. Once in the game it is very difficult to get out. On the other hand staying completely outside of the game becomes practically impossible as we all have to bring our goods to market in one way or another. The question societies all over the world are facing today is: Having made the game, how do we break it?
John Berling Hardy is dedicated to helping people to reclaim their lives. For more of his writings please visit www.playingtheplayers.com
