Well now that ive seen the light im not all -that-certain the luck scales are imbalanced.
Remember, and just by the descriptions if not actually experience, the Magic and Luck scales go together. Ive seen the light i think

. 1500 free twice makes a horse's mouth very attractive.
Remember population is just income. Its worse to endure if you get hit with a 1/4 loss in your capital (which happened to me early in a multi game, bleh) but its just income lost. So you lose 50/turn in your capital. 30 turns? Does this equal or surpass the bonus resources given during the same time with high luck? I don't have enough data to make a judgement.