IP: "tragedy of the commons"

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> X-Sender: sb () ns1 gbn org
> Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 16:53:15 -0800
> To: farber () cis upenn edu, ip-sub-1 () majordomo pobox com
> From: Stewart Brand <sb () gbn org>
>
>
> At 3:38 PM -0500 2/3/02, David Farber wrote:
> > > Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 12:29:38 -0800
> > > From: Brad Templeton <brad () templetons com>
> > > Dave, you and IP readers know, Spam is one of the most complex and
> > > surprisingly contentious issues around, and a harbinger of many net
> > > issues to come.
>
> Systemically, spam strikes me as a classic "tragedy of the commons" 
> issue---where each spamming misuser of the commons (cyberspace) gains 
> disproportionately, while all others lose piecemeal and in aggregate, and 
> thus so does the spammer eventually when the commons shuts down.
>
> The despoilation of commons is frequent throughout human history, but so 
> is sensible governing of a commons (not usually by government). Still the 
> best book on the subject is GOVERNING THE COMMONS, by Elinor Ostrum.

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