I hesitated to state my opinion, because it seems that most people disagree with it, but here is it anyway.
Ever since i learned about resources i hoped that they will develop further, that there will be more options to process, refine and combine them into new items maybe even common items, in short i hoped that MD will develop its own industry.
So i started to collect some of the resources in anticipation of that.
I was happy when i saw the Annis about the resource processors and thought that my wish finally came true, with the new mineral ore, an entire new brach that opens a lot of new options and possibilities, it was even really close to what i had in mind, i made a resource map last year and put in the ideas i had, see below:
so i tried to process my toxic plants into Flask(s) of Toxic Extract, but was really disappointed when i loaded 200 something in and got out 1 instead of 10 as i expected.
I spoke to some other MDers and wanted to know their opinion on this matter, but i learned that their opinions and thoughts differ from mine not just a bit.
Aeo for example said that he thinks it is good to avoid hoarding and monopolies on resources.
My opinion on this is as follows:
I dont like the system how it is now, and i think some people will still hoard resources the way it is now, furthermore i thought that the implementation of more levels of resource processing will solve the hoarding itself if its done right, like this:(example has only 3 levels more would be more fun though)
First level: I collect 100 iron ore. The iron ore is far from pure and so it has to be processed for further usage.
Second level: The processor needs 10 iron ore to create 1 iron bar. Because i had 100 i got 10( the processor still uses the entire stack)(you could also add that the processors are maintained by the tiny men and they collect a fee for usage if its over the minimum needed level, so you get 1 iron bar if you have 10iron ore but only 7,8 or 9 iron bars when you have 100)
Third level: Another processor(Blacksmith) is used to forge the Iron bar into, x screws or y nails or z gears.
This way, the stashes of people would decrease lose some of their value but not all of it like now.
ofc, some people would still hoard, greed is always a thing, but i think that the market will regulate, balance itself and increase the trading overall