Hoarding is the purchase of large quantities of a commodity by a speculator with the intent of benefiting from future price increases. It is possible for hoarding to create a cycle of speculation, self-fulfilling prophecies, and inflation.While some people may see hoarders as greedy opportunists, there is another side to this coin. In many cases, hoarders are simply trying to protect themselves from future economic hardships. By stockpiling supplies now, they hope to be able to weather any future price hikes or shortages.Of course, not all hoarders are motivated by altruism. Some do it purely for financial gain, knowing that their actions will drive up prices and allow them to sell their stockpile at a profit. This can create a dangerous spiral of inflation that hurts everyone except the hoarder himself.Whether motivated by greed or fear, hoarding is ultimately harmful to society as a whole. It drives up prices and creates artificial scarcity where none need exist. If you're thinking about hoarding goods yourself, think twice – it's not worth it in the long run!
