# Scarcity Migration
When one input becomes free, value moves to the input that stays scarce.
- A price collapse does not destroy value. It relocates value.
- Ask one question of any system: what does it still ration?
- The cheap layer gets the attention. The scarce layer gets the margin.
```mermaid
graph LR
subgraph Cheap["Gets cheap"]
E(Effort)
P(Customer patience)
C(Code)
M(Capital at the centre)
O(Obvious ideas)
V(Data volume)
end
subgraph Scarce["Stays scarce"]
A(Attention and trust)
I(Tireless follow-through)
B(Accountability)
X(Tolerance for complexity)
T(Ownership of the P&L)
N(Constrained points)
L(Early conviction)
R(Novelty)
H(Price history)
end
subgraph Notes["Concept"]
n1[Effort as a Hidden Filter]
n2[Inertia Rent]
n3[Liability Absorption]
n4[Complexity Premium]
n5[Own the Margin You Create]
n6[Marginal Dollar Test]
n7[Legibility Premium]
n8[Novelty vs Volume in Data Value]
n9[Data Capital Ladder]
end
E --> A --> n1
P --> I --> n2
C --> B --> n3
C --> X --> n4
C --> T --> n5
M --> N --> n6
O --> L --> n7
V --> R --> n8
V --> H --> n9
class n1,n2,n3,n4,n5,n6,n7,n8,n9 internal-link;
```
## How to use it
1. Name the input that is falling in price.
2. Name what buyers still cannot get more of.
3. Own that point, or sell access to it.
> [!question] Open question
> Does scarcity ever stop moving? Each new scarce layer invites its own automation.
----
tags: #boat #firstprinciple #AIstrategy
links: [[Concepts MOC]] [[Friction Frontier]] [[Jevons Paradox]]