Obvious in retrospect

Geekonomic: what the economies of online games reveal about the magic of scarcity. It's true -- it's the need to scrimp and strategize that keep one feeling challenged; I suspect that the same thing holds true in life as well. (Certainly makers of unique luxury items hope so, but I think the real interest would be in application of this concept to general motivations in everyday prioritizing...)

(via Rebecca's Pocket)