[Jimjam]

Originally Posted by JurisDictum [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

We call this "tragedy of the commons" in game theory. The example is: Imagine a field with enough grass to feed 15 cows that is on common land (anyone can use). Because people only care about their cows -- and not other cows -- they continue to bring cows there well after the 15 mark.

This ends up producing a lot less beef having 60 starving cows on the lot -- rather than 15 well fed ones. But people still have no incentive to take their cows off the lot, because they only benefit from their cows.

It is inevitable that the lot will be covered with shit and starving cows.

Stop training us to commune.