An investment or economic action is economically viable when societal benefits exceed the initial capital outlay. However, in capitalism people care more about the personal return on the initial capital outlay, than the actual societal benefits of their investment.
If society was a giant hivemind, then economic viability would take precedence over personal profit. Meanwhile if society is a bunch of isolated individuals, economic viability would take the backseat. So this tells us more about the limits of human psychology than it tells us about economics.
If society was a giant hivemind, then economic viability would take precedence over personal profit. Meanwhile if society is a bunch of isolated individuals, economic viability would take the backseat. So this tells us more about the limits of human psychology than it tells us about economics.