Best quote from The Scarcity Myth and Real Global Risks with Wojciech Janicki
The Stone Age didn't end because we ran out of stones; it ended because we found something better. Our current age won't end in a catastrophic collapse unless we let our fear paralyze our progress.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Use this link to get my point: https://youtu.be/JpRetw4yWkc
Frequently Asked Questions
The scarcity myth refers to the persistent but irrational fear that the world is rapidly running out of essential resources like oil. Political geographer Wojciech Janicki argues that these anxieties are often a byproduct of simple ignorance and psychological traps rather than scientific reality. Despite constant warnings in the media, Janicki points out that there is no rational basis for the belief that we are currently facing an immediate depletion of global oil supplies.
According to the research of Professor Wojciech Janicki, the narrative that we are running out of oil is not grounded in reality. He highlights that society has been hearing these warnings since shortly after the first oil well was drilled in 1859. For example, the U.S. Geological Survey once predicted that American oil would be completely gone by 1930, a claim that history has proven to be entirely incorrect.
In 'The Scarcity Myth and Real Global Risks,' political geography provides a lens to analyze why humans consistently fear the wrong things. Professor Wojciech Janicki explains that while information is more accessible than ever, we remain susceptible to ancient psychological traps. By analyzing resource scarcity through this academic field, Janicki demonstrates how historical narratives and misinformation shape our modern anxieties about climate change and resource depletion.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
