The Multipolar Trap

World wants to convert natural world into bits of a particular type that are abstractible fungible tradable optimizable which is exactly the opposite direction of evolution. We're trying to run exponentially more flow through an increasingly fragile system so when we look at oil pipeline spills we look at the fragility of the system. Anyone exploiting such an opportunity creates a gradient for everyone else to race to exploit that opportunity. The tragedy of the commons and the arms race are two classic examples.