Once upon a time, there was a planet populated by many species, one in particular that had a unique diet. In addition to the basics that they had in common with the other species on the planet, they needed a special resource. Without it, they felt starved, stressed, distracted, uneasy, and unable to function. So there was intense competition for this one special resource. It was as invisible as air, but people could track who was getting it and who wasn’t.

Still, they couldn’t talk about their need for this resource. It was taboo, shameful. Admitting to their hunger for this invisible yet essential resource would deprive them of it. Accusing other individuals of craving it would supply them with it, which made competition for it all the more intense.

These creatures could talk about this invisible resource, but only indirectly. Seeking it, the creatures called it proud, positive names. They talked in romantic terms about how it's an infinite, abundant, magical resource that everyone should be able to get to their satisfaction. Seeking not to share it, they gave it insulting and shameful names, as if it were something only weak and sinful creatures would crave.

When the resource became scarce, the creature warred over it, though never daring to name it directly. The wars would deplete the resource, but not just. In their wars over it, they would burn through other essential resources. They risked making life on their planet unsustainable.

Some of the creatures learned how to hoard this resource, amassing vast quantities for themselves by depriving others of it. The deprived creatures were ambivalent about the hoarders. They called them greedy and selfish, but they also envied them. Many........

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