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What if the thing in question is something that a majority of humans would agree is worth doing, but there is no way to extract profit? Which is to say, that th
by deciplex 3y ago
What if the thing in question is something that a majority of humans would agree is worth doing, but there is no way to extract profit? Which is to say, that the loop of capital goods -> apply labor -> extract value from labor -> accumulate more capital goods, does not map well to solving the problem / doing the work, etc?
- rawgabbit 3y agoYou will end up in the Tragedy of the Commons situation. Everyone wants good schools; no one wants to pay for it. Everyone wants good roads; no one wants to fund it. Everyone wants to stop climate change; no one wants to change.
- deciplex 3y agoMore or less, but the solution to the tragedy of the commons is quite simple: collective action which ensures that the burden of providing for the desired resource / behavior / service, is apportioned fairly. Then, in exchange for the collective demands, each individual's needs are met. The reason we can't do that anymore is that it requires something like an equitable distribution of political power. Our current system is so top-heavy in terms of who determines policy and political direction, that even simple problems with easily-mitigated failure modes are beyond us.