Since we only interact with the world based on what we know, changing what we 'know' is essential to changing our expectations and motivations.

An open access economy leverages the ethic of stewardship that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources.

If a particular resource is poorly stewarded then it may negatively affect a life supporting environment. Likewise if the resource is well stewarded, it will not or may even improve it in some way.

Examples of good stewardship in an open access economy:

• Only giving scarce resources to those with the proven capabilities to manage them effectively
• Acting conservatively with time management to prevent the misuse and abuse of scarce resources
• Respecting the environment during the production and assembly of manufactured goods
• Planning ahead of time to maximise use of resources and reduce shortages
• Only using limited amounts of available resources to reduce waste
• Reusing existing resources over resource extraction

In an open access economy, it would be wisest to choose those with the proven record and ability to manage a particular resource well.