Jevons Paradox
The principle that increasing the efficiency of resource use tends to increase total consumption rather than decrease it.
Also known as: Jevon's Paradox, Rebound Effect, Backfire Effect
Category: Principles
Tags: economics, productivity, paradox, efficiencies, resource-management, ai
Explanation
Jevons Paradox, named after economist William Stanley Jevons who observed it in 1865, describes a counterintuitive phenomenon: when we become more efficient at using a resource, we often end up consuming more of it, not less.
Jevons' original observation concerned coal: as steam engines became more fuel-efficient, coal consumption increased rather than decreased. The efficiency gains made coal-powered activities more economical, leading to wider adoption and ultimately higher total consumption.
How the paradox works:
1. **Efficiency improves**: Technology makes resource use more productive
2. **Cost decreases**: Using the resource becomes cheaper per unit of output
3. **Demand increases**: Lower costs drive increased usage
4. **Total consumption rises**: Increased demand outweighs efficiency gains
Modern examples:
- More fuel-efficient cars lead to more driving
- Faster internet leads to larger file downloads and streaming
- Energy-efficient appliances coincide with more appliances per household
- **AI efficiency**: As AI tools become more efficient, we use them for more tasks
Implications for knowledge work and AI:
- Productivity tools may lead to more work, not more leisure
- AI efficiency gains could increase overall AI usage dramatically
- Time saved by automation often gets filled with new tasks
- Efficiency alone doesn't guarantee reduced resource consumption
The paradox suggests that efficiency improvements must be paired with intentional constraints or behavioral changes to achieve genuine reduction in resource use.
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