THE TRAGEDY OF THE THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONSCOMMONS

THE TRAGEDY OF THE THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONSCOMMONS

Happy Fishing LabHappy Fishing Lab

GARRETT HARDINGARRETT HARDIN

Tragedy of the Commons- is a problem that occurs when a resource (ocean, water, air) is open to everyone. Resources become overexploited and all lose out.

Tragedy of the Commons- is a problem that occurs when a resource (ocean, water, air) is open to everyone. Resources become overexploited and all lose out.

LAB INSTRUCTIONSLAB INSTRUCTIONS

You will all be fishermen (women)

You have to provide for your family

You all are fishing from a common lake

You will all be fishermen (women)

You have to provide for your family

You all are fishing from a common lake

TOOLSTOOLS

You can choose two different types of fishing tools:

Net- (Spoon)

Fishing Pole (straw)

You can choose two different types of fishing tools:

Net- (Spoon)

Fishing Pole (straw)

RULESRULES

You must make enough to provide for your family (or you go bankrupt)

You cannot steal from another player or knock theirs off

Remaining fish will replicate x 1 each

The player with the most $ at the end will win a prize

You must make enough to provide for your family (or you go bankrupt)

You cannot steal from another player or knock theirs off

Remaining fish will replicate x 1 each

The player with the most $ at the end will win a prize

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

Did anyone in your group take too many fish? How did that make you feel? Did everyone try to take as many as possible? Why or why not? Does society reward those with the “most”?

Did anyone in your group take too many fish? How did that make you feel? Did everyone try to take as many as possible? Why or why not? Does society reward those with the “most”?

REFLECTIONREFLECTION

Did anyone in your group sacrifice the # of fish for the good of the whole community? Why or why not? Does society reward this type of person?

Did anyone in your group sacrifice the # of fish for the good of the whole community? Why or why not? Does society reward this type of person?

GAME 2GAME 2

If you repeated the game, did your group strategy change? Explain.

If you repeated the game, did your group strategy change? Explain.

SUSTAINABILITYSUSTAINABILITY

Is it possible to maximize the number of fish caught/person AND the number of fish remaining in the pond at the same time? Explain.

Is it possible to maximize the number of fish caught/person AND the number of fish remaining in the pond at the same time? Explain.

NATURAL RESOURCESNATURAL RESOURCES

What are some natural resources that are COMMON resources (to all)?

What are some natural resources that are COMMON resources (to all)?

GLOBAL COMMONSGLOBAL COMMONS

What are the global commons? Are these being used wisely? Why or why not?

What are the global commons? Are these being used wisely? Why or why not?

RESOURCESRESOURCES

What can people do to use these resources most wisely?

What can people do to use these resources most wisely?

EXTINCTION/ENDANGEREDEXTINCTION/ENDANGERED

Did a particular “type” of fish disappear faster than others? How does this relate to “economically valuable” species in nature and their extinction rates?

Did a particular “type” of fish disappear faster than others? How does this relate to “economically valuable” species in nature and their extinction rates?

POST-LABPOST-LAB

Briefly summarize the results of this simulation- discuss the implications of this simulation on the management of common resources in the environment.

Briefly summarize the results of this simulation- discuss the implications of this simulation on the management of common resources in the environment.

THE PRISONER’S DILEMMATHE PRISONER’S DILEMMA

Scenario: Two suspects are caught doing a “BAD” deed. They are brought to police headquarters and separated to get their stories. They are both offered a deal to get a confession...

Scenario: Two suspects are caught doing a “BAD” deed. They are brought to police headquarters and separated to get their stories. They are both offered a deal to get a confession...

THE DEALTHE DEAL

If you “rat-out” the other guy- you will go free but he/she will get 25 years in prison

If you both confess, you will get 5 years in prison

If you confess and he/she rats you out- you will get 25 years in prison

If you “rat-out” the other guy and he/she rats you out too, you will BOTH get 25 years

If you “rat-out” the other guy- you will go free but he/she will get 25 years in prison

If you both confess, you will get 5 years in prison

If you confess and he/she rats you out- you will get 25 years in prison

If you “rat-out” the other guy and he/she rats you out too, you will BOTH get 25 years

THE ONCELER’S QUOTETHE ONCELER’S QUOTE

“If I didn’t do it, then someone else would....”

How does quote relate to the prisoner’s dilemma? Discuss.

“If I didn’t do it, then someone else would....”

How does quote relate to the prisoner’s dilemma? Discuss.

SPLIT OR STEALSPLIT OR STEAL

Watch the British show- “Split or Steal”- Discuss how it connects to the tragedy of the commons/prisoner’s dilemma

Watch the British show- “Split or Steal”- Discuss how it connects to the tragedy of the commons/prisoner’s dilemma