# Jevons Paradox #concepts · #ai ## Summary Jevons Paradox describes how improvements in efficiency can paradoxically increase, rather than decrease, overall resource consumption. ## Definition Jevons Paradox is the counterintuitive observation that when technological advances improve the efficiency of resource use, the cost reduction often leads to increased demand, ultimately raising total resource consumption. Originally noted in the context of coal, it has become a foundational idea in energy economics, sustainability, and now, AI studies. In the context of AI and knowledge work, it suggests that while AI makes tasks more efficient, it may actually expand the scale and scope of work, increasing overall economic and cognitive resource use. ## Properties - **Uniqueness**: It explains why efficiency does not guarantee conservation. - **In the wild**: Seen when faster computers lead to more data processing, or fuel-efficient cars lead to more driving. - **Patterns**: Gains in efficiency → lower costs → expanded use → net increase in consumption. ### Wayfinding %% DATAVIEW_PUBLISHER: start ```dataview TABLE WITHOUT ID questions AS "Responds to", origins AS "Informed by", ideas AS "Developed alongside", concepts AS "Builds on" WHERE file.name = this.file.name ``` %% | Responds to | Informed by | Developed alongside | Builds on | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | <ul><li>[[thinking/questions/what remains human.md\|what remains human]]</li></ul> | <ul></ul> | <ul><li>[[thinking/seeds/expanding on the line.md\|expanding on the line]]</li><li>[[thinking/seeds/marketing as reification.md\|marketing as reification]]</li><li>[[thinking/saplings/marketing judgment is the future.md\|marketing judgment is the future]]</li></ul> | <ul><li>[[sensemaking\|sensemaking]]</li><li>[[thinking/concepts/semiotic capitalism.md\|semiotic capitalism]]</li><li>[[thinking/concepts/computational thinking.md\|computational thinking]]</li><li>[[thinking/concepts/thinking, computing, simulating.md\|thinking, computing, simulating]]</li></ul> | %% DATAVIEW_PUBLISHER: end %% > [!info]- Changelog >- [[2025-05-06-Tuesday]] - idea captured