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Efficiency Unleashes Growth
Increased efficiency in energy production or agriculture leads to greater energy consumption and population growth, illustrating the Jevons Paradox. As productivity rises—whether through generating more oil or producing more calories per acre—surpluses are created, allowing for population expansion. This dynamic creates competition where, if one does not exploit available resources effectively, others will, essentially compelling individuals and societies to optimize their energy use. Additionally, the concept of the maximum power principle suggests that ecosystems and organisms evolve to harness energy efficiently from their environment, which parallels the inherent incentives to expand usage and drive growth.