Abundance Oslo

What if scarcity isn't inevitable - it's just a problem we haven't solved yet?

We're an informal group in and around Oslo exploring "abundance thinking" - the idea that science, technology and smart policy can expand what's possible, not just divide up what exists. The conversation spans a wide spectrum of traditions, for example:

• The progressive policy view (think Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson's Abundance): progressives have become their own worst enemy - layers of regulation, permitting and process are blocking the housing, clean energy and infrastructure the left actually wants. The fix isn't less government but a more capable state that clears the path - streamlining permitting, fixing zoning, funding high-risk high-reward research - so that these things can actually get built.
• The techno-optimist view (think Peter Diamandis): exponential technologies - AI, biotech, robotics, cheap solar - powered by entrepreneurship and competitive markets are already turning yesterday's sci-fi and luxuries into things everyone can afford. And we're only getting started.

Different starting points, shared instinct: the pie can grow, and that matters as much as how we slice it.

I'm not a tech expert or a professional - just an enthusiast looking to discuss motivating visions for Norway, Europe and humanity. Curious minds welcome, whatever your background, political view or level of expertise - even strange and controversial ideas have a place here. Just bring curiosity, empathy and intellectual humility.

Help shape this group
This is a new initiative and input is very much appreciated - whether that's suggestions for topics, venues, or how the group should develop. If you'd like to co-organize or help shape what this becomes, please reach out. And I'm curious: are there similar groups in Oslo you enjoy attending?

You can also find us on Facebook - facebook.com/groups/843349432114134

Some things we might explore
Big ideas

• The Enlightenment heritage: the values and institutions behind the abundance we already enjoy - liberal democracy, science, rule of law, international collaboration - and how to strengthen them
• Pragmatic, win-win solutions that can attract support across the political spectrum, overcoming polarization

Economy and governance

• Economic productivity: better conditions for startups and scaleups, completing the European single market, accelerating innovation
• State capacity: building institutions that can actually deliver on ambitious goals - from housing to AI governance
• Industrial capacity: becoming a serious "electro-state", strengthening European supply chains and defense capacity, embracing the physical AI revolution

Sectors and technologies

• AI: the opportunities of abundant and aligned AI, global governance and safety, boosting Norwegian and European ecosystems
• Clean energy: scaling affordable clean energy to power the AI revolution and beyond, while addressing climate change
• Housing: how to build a lot more, and make it affordable in Oslo and beyond
• Ocean and maritime ("blue abundance"): leveraging Norwegian offshore expertise for wind and wave power, low-suffering and eco-friendly aquaculture and more
• Space: unlocking the resources and mysteries of space, growing the European sector, Andøya, Artemis

People, nature and animals

• Eco-modernism: making the world more materially prosperous while also increasing the abundance of nature/ecosystems, for example through dense urban housing or saving natural fresh water resources through desalination powered by clean energy
• Animal welfare: using technology and empathy to make the world better for humans and non-human animals alike, like developing cultured ("lab grown") meat technology