Environmental Science
The Tragedy of the Commons in Modern Resource Governance
Quick fact
In 2016, the already-depleted Northern shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Maine was forced to shut down for the first time in 35 years, illustrating that even modern, well-monitored commons can collapse when short-term self-interest outweighs long-term collective benefit.
Why this is interesting
Ever wonder why the Earth's rainforests or fish stocks are disappearing, even though most people know it's bad? It's often not greed, but a tricky logic that makes individual sense but self-destructive sense for everyone.