17. Humans are Cooperative by Nature

Question 1

What is the real solution to the tragedy of the commons?

Answer 1

that humans are cooperative by nature

Question 2

Why is competition natural to humans and animals?

Answer 2

natural selection favours self interest & all organisms have self interest to leave offspring behind

natural selection doesn’t care if this is by competition or cooperation

Question 3

What is one of the marvels of life?

Answer 3

cooperation within and between species (mutualism) - tension between self and collective interests

Question 4

What is an example of mutualism in the biosphere?

Answer 4

plants with fungi attached to it - works to help each other through nutrient cycles

pollination - bees helping pollinate and plants helping bees

Question 5

What are examples of within species cooperation?

Answer 5

worker bees serving a queen

schools of fish to try and prevent predator deaths

there are elements of self and group interest in this form of cooperation

Question 6

What are things humans do as a part of within species cooperation?

Answer 6

donate blood, recycling, volunteering

do it to help others, and for pride (there is something in our make up as humans where we feel inclined to help)

Question 7

What inspires us to exhibit cooperative behaviour?

Answer 7

kin selection (we feel more connected to those who we are related to)

& direct reciprocity (do unto others as you would like done to you)

Question 8

What does the tragedy of the commons game tell us about individuals?

Answer 8

over-harvesting is the best individual strategy, ethical/normal people will over-harvest

it only seems like a dilemma because mutual sustainability leads to the highest payoff (ex. MSY)

Question 9

What strategy is the most successful in the game?

Answer 9

tit for tat: initially cooperate, the copy the opponent’s last move

it loses to ‘defect’ on the first go, but wins by playing with other cooperative strategies

ultimately, it wins the prisoner’s dilemma without actually beating any other strategies

Question 10

What environments could help the tit for tat strategy succeed?

Answer 10

spatially structured environments - TFT (cooperative strategies) slowly takes over

neighbourhoods (smaller, local, spaces) and repeated playing are important

Question 11

What are other insights from the game?

Answer 11

it’s good to recognize neighbours, retaliate or punish defectors, and cooperate with those you trust

eternal cooperators lead to defection

change the structure of the game to favour cooperation (spatial structures)

Question 12

Is tit for tat relevant to everyday life?

Answer 12

yes, exchanging birthday gifts, Christmas cards, study groups, etc.

Question 13

Describe the cautionary tale from Indigenous culture about taking too much from the commons

Answer 13

Cautionary Windigo tales arose in a commons-based society where sharing was essential to survival and greed made any individual a danger to the whole. In the old times, individuals who endangered the community by taking too much for themselves were first counselled, then ostracized, and if the greed continued, they were eventually banished.

Question 14

So, how can we solve the global commons?

Answer 14

make rational choices, not greedy ones

promote the solution through nudges in the right direction

Question 15

How can we use tit for tat to address climate change?

Answer 15

use nudges

punishment, reputation, shame, honour

economic incentives like green taxes

Question 16

What should the updated sustainability motto be?

Answer 16

think and act locally, and by doing so you will be acting globally

“i will drive less to avoid carbon taxes, create less local pollution, and improve my mental health”

make the problem ‘local’ and the world smaller to minimize the pressure individuals feel to be perfect