What is the tragedy of the commons?
Q: What is the tragedy of the commons?
A: The tragedy of the commons is a problem described in an article by Garrett Hardin in 1968 that occurs when many individuals with their own ideas can make something they all share worse, even if no one wants to.
Q: Can pollution of water occur even if no one wants to pollute?
A: Yes, pollution of water can occur even if no one wants to pollute because many people may want to use the water for their own reasons, like washing and throwing away rubbish, and each person may think that their small bit of pollution does not affect the quality of the water.
Q: Why does pollution of water occur even if no one wants it?
A: Pollution of water occurs even if no one wants it because many people with their own motivations contribute to it.
Q: What does William Forster Lloyd have to do with the tragedy of the commons?
A: William Forster Lloyd wrote about the tragedy of the commons in 1833, pointing out that each cow added benefit to its owner but damaged the land overall for all herders by overgrazing.
Q: Where may the tragedy of the commons occur?
A: The tragedy of the commons may occur in slums and other overcrowded places like refugee camps.
Q: In what context is the tragedy of the commons often used?
A: The tragedy of the commons is often used in modern debates on ecology.
Q: What is game theory?
A: Game theory is a branch of mathematics that deals with the analysis of decision-making in situations where two or more individuals have conflicting interests. The tragedy of the commons is a topic in game theory.
