5 ms·
Why is it not a tragedy of the commons? "The tragedy of the commons is a situation in a shared-resource system where individual users, acting independently acc
by mac01021 6y ago
Why is it not a tragedy of the commons?
"The tragedy of the commons is a situation in a shared-resource system where individual users, acting independently according to their own self-interest, behave contrary to the common good of all users by depleting or spoiling the shared resource through their collective action."
In this case, given that everyone else is going to use plastics, it is in my interest to use them too. But I would be better off (maybe) if noone used them. Does that not fit the definition?
- edjrage 6y agoThe important bit is "by depleting or spoiling the shared resource". Plastic is not a "shared resource". It's not at risk of depletion or "spoilage". It's obviously the opposite problem. I think the example with the sheep makes it perfectly clear what the concept is and isn't.
- mac01021 6y agoSoil and oceans are shared resources, which we're (probably) spoiling by permeating them with countless minuscule bits of plastic. Or maybe I don't properly understand what "spoil" means.
- acd 6y agoThe spoil is by polluting shared natural resources that we depend on for quality of life. Such as clean water, clean air an functional eco system that provides enough oxygen, stable earth temperature.