[Nasrudith]

It sort of works long term but with an alien detached long term point of view. A bit more third order causes.

Essentially if they can afford to pay higher prices continually then it implies some sort of sustained utility. If their decisions are foolish they would start losing said capability squandering it and give it to the "sources" one way or another.

That doesn't say anything about the morality, sanity, or time pressures but I can see some truth to it.