What is the tragedy of the commons? - Nicholas Amendolare

Is it possible that overfishing, super germs, and global warming are all caused by the same thing? In 1968, a man named Garrett Hardin sat down to write an essay about overpopulation. Within it, he discovered a pattern of human behavior that explains some of history’s biggest problems. Nicholas Amendolare describes the tragedy of the commons.

Lesson by Nicholas Amendolare, directed by TED-Ed.

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[ManasMadrecha]

"The earth has enough for man's need, but not for his greed." - M. Gandhi

[ZaxorVonSkyler]

I think the world would be a better place if they played Ted-Ed on TV!

[ellyra]

"What's good for all of us, is good for each of us."


This is what people need to realize. No more corruptions and greedy acts, ppl

[salomepage]

a french girl is thanking you for helping her passing her final exam of economy while revising her english :)

[Chillerll]

The trick is to eat the other 3 fishermen first, after 3 days you would have 40 fish and could eat 10 fish per day and the fish population would still be growing.

In other words: think of the future, not just your temporary interest

[rea]

In today's world we are taught since we are children that we are individuals and we should take care of ourselves and look out for our best interests. Teachers and parents and society in general teaches that, so when it comes to sharing, it gets confusing. We don't want other people to starve or be miserable, but we still want to have more and be better than them. Which means that we are competing with each other who will have more. And there comes the tragedy as we just seem to need more and more.

[TheScienceBiome]

Loved the animation style of this video, one of the best ones you have made!

[gcvrsa]

The so-called "tragedy of the commons" is one of the most widely misunderstood concepts in political economy, and should really be understood as the tragedy of the *unmanaged* commons. The idea that common resources are subject to depletion is often used as a argument against public or common ownership, and in favor of privatisation, but the real truth is that these arguments are based about the specious notion that "unowned" resources are and should be "free" of any economic cost.

Nature belongs by right equally and in common to all the living. This means that we are obligated to each other to reimburse the common wealth out of our labor product for the value of any natural resource which we reserve for our exclusive benefit. This is the mechanism which prevents pollution and depletion, and which benefits all whenever it benefits one.

People who wish to understand these concepts in greater detail should read "Progress and Poverty" (1879), the landmark treatise on political economy by Henry George, which was in its time the most famous book in the English language. That we have forgotten Henry George and the popularity of his work is no accident.

[ashthecoolest]

This is even more relevant in the current scenario of panic buying during the coronavirus pandemic. Wish more people would watch and understand this video.

[kathleenrussell-hardin]

"Imagine as a thought experiment" is an apt opening line to this problem. My former father-in-law Garrett Hardin loved to propose thought experiments at the dinner table and the ensuing arguments among family and guests delighted him. He used the Socratic method to shake up his students, his children, and his grandchildren alike and make them think beyond the surface of a problem. Beautifully-executed animation that, I think, would have amused him.

[geneenius]

Please share this widely for anyone that doesn't understand why Stockpiling food and other items is unnecessary, uncommunity like and unkind. #corona #communityminded

[BadCoverMan]

“What’s good for all of us is good for each of us.” Necessarily this will never happen, but living in a world that lived by this motto would be wonderful.

[JuxtaposedStars]

"Me first!" means we all finish last.

[jacobw.]

Who else felt bad for the lonely fish?

[parkla]

"We pass laws to serve the common interest" HAHAHAHAHAHA good one.

[kelseybee]

I legit love TED-Ed. You guys do such an amazing job.

[aim]

I’d recommended the Spanish film “The Platform” as an example of this - it’s on Netflix and it’s really good.

[nSackStyles]

3:05 - Aww! Look at that little fish in the pond. It looks so sad to see all of it's mates missing!
TED-Ed animations are undeniably adorable, motivational and absorbing.

[spreadlove]

This is the hurdle we have to overcome for human to advance. People need to have a long term vision and be a bit more selfless.