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submitted 2 days ago by Awoo@hexbear.net to c/chat@hexbear.net

Ignore whether or not we actually agree with the tragedy of the commons for a moment.

If free land anyone is allowed to use is inevitably going to result in individuals acting in their own self interest depleting the resources of the fields and ultimately bringing about collective ruin.... Does that not apply to like... All of capitalism? On the planet?

The capitalists are incentivised to act in their individual interests, and they will do so to the ultimate collective ruin of the entire planet.

That is the tragedy of the commons expanded to an international scale, and if one believes in the tragedy of the commons then one must also believe in the other.

The commons must be centrally controlled and managed in the collective interest.

The market must be centrally controlled and managed in the collective interest.

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[-] CeffTheCeph@kbin.earth 3 points 1 day ago

You mention oil but it's also extremely true for deforestation, fishing, farming and several other things. Including water too actually.

It is! It seems as though our cut-throat capitalism or our central government models aren't really the best options for those life essential common pool resources. Can we try the third option next maybe, cooperation?

Not sure how deep into the tragedy you are but if you are unfamiliar, I'd recommend reading about Elinor_Ostrom's work in cooperative resource management.

this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2026
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