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This is the first I've heard that it's false; however it seems like many times in my life I've observed something suffering, seemingly from lack of ownership de

This is the first I've heard that it's false; however it seems like many times in my life I've observed something suffering, seemingly from lack of ownership despite being a common good. What do you call that if you can't call it a tragedy of the commons?

reaperman 2y ago
On HN I’ve seen regular claims that “tragedy of the commons has been disproven”. I’ve not yet identified which social bubble propagates this or what it is based on but there seems to be some niche in which people are being taught that it is categorically proven to be an invalid concept.
- bombcar 2y ago
  It's more than one person - it happened in a recent comment I made: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41758008 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41758008 I suspect some popular blog/YouTube channel made some waves around it.
  - 9dev 2y ago
    That persons argumentation is awful, however. Another patient soul took the time to challenge the idea with logic, and there wasn’t much actually supporting the idea in response.
    - kennywinker 2y ago
      I’d just like to note that i disagree with your summarization. They defend their perspective quite well imo
- kennywinker 2y ago
  > I am sure there are some hyper specific examples where it has happened as described, but as a “fact” about the world and as a justification for any course of action, it’s highly suspect. You read that and understood “categorically proven to be an invalid concept”?
  - reaperman 2y ago
    I hope it was clear to most readers of my comment that I was talking about a general line of rhetoric rather than this specific post. However, from the parent comment I keyed in on your quote less, and much more on: > It was disproven FWIW.
kennywinker 2y ago
Lack of accountability. People cite the tragedy of the commons to discourage sharing of resources. The idea that common land should be divvied up into private ownership to prevent them falling into ruin. When really shared resources just need accountability between the people who make use of them. It’s just basic game theory: If there is no cost to abusing your opponent, that strategy will get used. But if you’re going to be playing long term with the same people, systems will form to deter abuse.

reaperman 2y ago

On HN I’ve seen regular claims that “tragedy of the commons has been disproven”. I’ve not yet identified which social bubble propagates this or what it is based on but there seems to be some niche in which people are being taught that it is categorically proven to be an invalid concept.

bombcar 2y ago
It's more than one person - it happened in a recent comment I made: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41758008 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41758008 I suspect some popular blog/YouTube channel made some waves around it.
- 9dev 2y ago
  That persons argumentation is awful, however. Another patient soul took the time to challenge the idea with logic, and there wasn’t much actually supporting the idea in response.
  - kennywinker 2y ago
    I’d just like to note that i disagree with your summarization. They defend their perspective quite well imo
kennywinker 2y ago
> I am sure there are some hyper specific examples where it has happened as described, but as a “fact” about the world and as a justification for any course of action, it’s highly suspect. You read that and understood “categorically proven to be an invalid concept”?
- reaperman 2y ago
  I hope it was clear to most readers of my comment that I was talking about a general line of rhetoric rather than this specific post. However, from the parent comment I keyed in on your quote less, and much more on: > It was disproven FWIW.

kennywinker 2y ago

Lack of accountability. People cite the tragedy of the commons to discourage sharing of resources. The idea that common land should be divvied up into private ownership to prevent them falling into ruin. When really shared resources just need accountability between the people who make use of them. It’s just basic game theory: If there is no cost to abusing your opponent, that strategy will get used. But if you’re going to be playing long term with the same people, systems will form to deter abuse.