The Dead Horse Theory vs. The Horse Salami Theory

The problem with the Dead Horse Theory is that it is fundamentally flawed—it sees failure as the end of the road, leading to waste and abandonment. The Horse Salami Theory, which I am introducing now, is the solution. It is about repurposing, recycling, and reusing.

Yes, maybe the horse is dead, but that doesn’t mean it has no value. It can still be transformed into quality Sibiu salami, its bones can be used for valuable wood glue, and if the salami isn’t fit for human consumption, it can still be made into pet food or fertilizer. Why should we simply dump and abandon the horse when it can still serve a purpose?

 

The Dead Horse Theory, this cruel abandonment of resources, is exactly why our society is drowning in waste. We treat materials as if they are infinite, and yet, we are heading toward a future where people will fight over garbage and landfills—the last remnants of exhausted resources.

I grew up in times when people used to fix things, improvise, and make the most of what they had. We need to stop discarding things the moment they become inconvenient. Instead, we should truly value every resource at our disposal, because nothing on this planet is infinite. Yes, maybe there are infinite resources in the universe—asteroids made of pure 24K gold, three times the weight of Earth—but does that help our economy today? No.

What truly matters is what we do with what we have right now. We must stop wasting, stop abandoning, and start appreciating. By embracing repurposing, recycling, and reusing, we free up space for forests instead of landfills, for wild horses instead of mountains of trash.

 

The Next Steps: Implementing the Horse Salami Theory

Embracing the Horse Salami Theory requires a fundamental shift in how we approach economy, industry, and consumption. Here are the key steps humanity must take to transition into a truly sustainable economic model:

 

1. Design for Circularity

The current economic system is built on a linear model—produce, consume, discard. We need to move to a circular economy, where products are designed from the start to be repaired, repurposed, and recycled. Companies must adopt modular designs, biodegradable materials, and repairable technology instead of manufacturing products destined for obsolescence.

 

2. Shift from Ownership to Utility-Based Consumption

Instead of everyone owning everything, we should own what we truly need and access the rest through sharing-based economies. Car-sharing, tool rentals, clothing swaps, and open-access resources allow us to reduce production waste while still fulfilling all our needs. The goal is to maximize the utility of existing resources rather than constantly creating new ones.

 

3. Tax Waste, Not Labor

Right now, many economies tax human effort and productivity (through income tax) but allow waste and environmental destruction to go unchecked. A sustainable economy would shift taxation away from labour and instead tax resource extraction, waste, and pollution. This would incentivize companies to reduce waste, innovate in recycling, and transition to sustainable materials.

 

4. Build a Verified Market Trust System

One of the biggest obstacles to sustainability is corporate greenwashing—companies claiming to be sustainable while cutting corners behind the scenes. We need a transparent, blockchain-backed trust system where businesses are verified based on real sustainability metrics. This system would ensure accountability, prevent fraud, and empower consumers to make informed choices.

 

5. Decentralize and Localize Production

Large-scale centralized production is often inefficient and wasteful. Instead of mass-producing goods in faraway countries and shipping them across the world, we should embrace localized production hubs. Technologies like 3D printing, biofabrication, and urban farms can enable cities and communities to produce what they need, where they need it, reducing transportation waste and supply chain vulnerabilities.

 

6. Encourage Adaptive Innovation

Instead of throwing resources away when they become outdated, we must build systems that allow for constant repurposing and adaptation. Old buildings should be renovated rather than demolished, old electronics should be modularly upgraded rather than discarded, and waste materials should be seen as valuable inputs for new industries.

 

A Future Without Landfills

If we fully embrace the Horse Salami Theory, we will move toward a world where waste no longer exists—because everything has a purpose. Instead of mountains of trash, we will have forests. Instead of scarcity, we will have abundance created through efficiency and intelligent resource management. The goal is to stop seeing things as “used up” and start seeing them as potential for something new.

The time for wasteful abandonment is over. The era of intelligent resourcefulness begins now.