Team Human

David Bollier: The Commons Are Not a Tragedy

25 snips
May 21, 2025
David Bollier, an activist and director at the Schumacher Center, dives deep into the idea of the commons as a solution to societal issues. He challenges the notion of the 'tragedy of the commons' with historical examples of successful communal resource management. The conversation touches on the dangers of neoliberalism and how grassroots movements can pave the way for a more equitable society. Bollier also discusses the ethics of data privacy and the need for cooperative community efforts in environmental sustainability, urging a cultural shift towards communal stewardship.
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INSIGHT

Essence of the Commons

  • The commons is a system where people manage shared wealth collectively with fairness and long-term care.
  • It can be applied to natural resources, urban areas, and digital spaces, not just historical land use.
ANECDOTE

Misunderstood 'Tragedy of the Commons'

  • A libertarian friend described a filthy rest stop bathroom as a "tragedy of the commons."
  • David Bollier argued the tragedy actually depicts market failure, not true commons management with rules.
INSIGHT

Limits of Market Valuation

  • Market price fails to capture non-market values like care, spirit, and nature.
  • Without alternative value theories, capitalism colonizes everything, reducing complex human and ecological systems to market transactions.
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