As I think, “It’s all the Tragedy of the Commons” I imagine my children rolling their eyes. It’s a concept I explained to them when they were young but I haven’t thought of it in a while.
The Tragedy of the Commons has fascinated me since I learned about it 30 years ago through a computer simulation. We all were fishermen who were only supposed to fish a certain amount. But somebody always caught extra, depleting the fish to the point where there weren’t any fish for any of us- even those of us who followed the rules.
The Tragedy of the Commons is an old concept. It’s a human concept. Individual self-interest vs collective good.
What got me thinking about this, on New Year’s Day?
Fireworks. At the end of the weirdest year of my lifetime, it was New Year’s Eve fireworks that triggered this epiphany. This morning we are experiencing hazardous pollution levels in large part from fireworks & fireplaces - both illegal, as yesterday was a “no-burn” day. Yet, individual people chose to burn a fire in their fireplace, or set off fireworks. Alone, there would be little harm. But collectively, these individual choices affect all of us. It’s a beautiful day in Tempe, Arizona but officials recommend that we stay indoors for our health.
There are many other examples of the Tragedy of Commons last year. We saw it in the incredibly high numbers of Covid illnesses and deaths throughout our country. If just one person chose to ignore recommendations and have a large maskless gathering, it wouldn’t be a problem. The rest of us being careful would mitigate the spread. But when many people make those choices, it affects all of us. They think it’s their individual choice, their right, and only affects them. But we all bear the consequences, including more chances to get sick and less availability of medical care.
We see it in the underlying, widespread problem of racism. One person having biases, enjoying their privilege, and ignoring the suffering of millions, would not be a problem. But when many of us blow it off, deny it, choose not to learn how to change… we have systemic societal problems.
In 2021, I am going to keep in mind the Tragedy of the Commons. I am not just one. My actions affect others. What can little ‘ol me do to contribute to a healthy society? A lot. I resolve to:
- Wear a mask in public
- Avoid in-person contact with other people as much as possible until the spread of Covid-19 is under control
- Take care of my health
- Learn how to recognize & overcome my underlying biases
- Learn about the experiences of others who are different from me
- Use my privilege to promote positive change and support those with less privilege
- Not set off fireworks
- Not use my fireplace on no-burn days
- Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
- Fact check before I share
- Be kind & forgiving, to myself and others
- Vote
I am imagining a world where every person resolved to do this.
Wow.
