#tragedy-of-the-commons

[imnotverybright]

does anybody remember raymancer? i know he shows up all of once but he's kind of haunting me. a ward who shows up to fight what was at the time an A-class threat, got radiation poisoning from an evil clone of a ward from a different branch, then he eventually "got too sick to move" and died. do you think the chicago wards thought of their teammate withering away from radiation poisoning every time they saw vista after that?

[probablyasocialecologist]

Through more than 500 case studies pulling from sociology, anthropology, history, economics, political science, forestry, and ecology, Ostrom and her colleagues identified a set of principles that bottom-up, community-led organizations had used to successfully manage commons. Among them were clearly defined boundaries for a commons; monitoring of the resource and its users; graduated sanctions for anyone who stepped out of line; and a mechanism for conflict resolution. Ostrom’s work showed these principles could be managed by people from any background absent the expertise of executives or bureaucrats. “Humans have great capabilities, and somehow we’ve had some sense that the officials had genetic capabilities that the rest of us didn’t have,” Ostrom said late in life. “I hope we can change that.”

[...]

If counterpoints to “Tragedy” exist in great numbers, across regions and resources, why did Hardin’s essay sink its teeth into our collective understanding of the commons? Thomas Dietz, a frequent Ostrom collaborator, blames society’s tendency toward “catastrophism” and “simple, universal explanations.” As the authors of a retrospective paper put it in 2019, Hardin “contributed a catchphrase that caught the prevailing winds of public discourse,” even though the pasture metaphor was “reductionist and distorting.”

[frunbuns]

There's something so bittersweet about the childhood flashbacks in tua. They were all children together. Reginald was horrible, but they had each other. And then everything went to shit. Five's 13 year old body a bitter reminder of what once was. His siblings in their adult bodies a reminder of how things should've been. God,,,,

[canisalbus]

I love the idea of machete faking his own death and moving to Florence to be Vasco's bookkeeper/ accountant or something. I know it's basically just a fix-it au for your doomed by the narrative dog men, but it makes me happy.

Also I absolutely adore your artstyle! It's very distinct from other furry artists I've seen. Kinda like those drawings in medieval manuscripts. Also I love the effort you've put into making believable acting characters and making them work not only in modern times but in renaissance Italy as well! You must have done years of research on your setting for it to flow so naturally!

TL:DR, I love your dogs, I love your art, and I love your writing. I'm sending you virtual grilled cheeses and tomato soup

.

[bonefall]

Something like this?

Yeah! Very close to that!

From the top view, the toes would still be pretty indistinguishable because the fur would still obscure where one ends and another begins, but that's about right.

At this point in their evolution, you'd be able to tell right away from the tool claw that they're not Felis Catus Domesticus anymore. I had a specbio project I worked on for a while where I called them something like Felis Narrans I think.

[scottishcommune]

Did you hear the Tragedy of the Commons? I thought so. It’s exactly a story the liberal economists would tell you. “The Tragedy of the Commons” is a tired old saw that gets trotted out by know-nothing college kids whenever one of us has the gall, the audacity, to suggest a communal project or program, the idea being that any resource held for collective use will inevitably be despoiled by overuse as individuals in the community act on their rational self-interest and attempt to squeeze as much good out of it as they can.

Reposting the link to @natalieironside's excellent essay on the so-called tragedy of the commons bc I couldn't find it here anymore and frankly everyone should read it

[hauntedwhispers]

◈ 30 DAYS MUSIC CHALLENGE: 2024 edition ◈

Day 15 - A song that hasn't got a music video but you wish it had: The Tragedy of the Commons (Delain feat. Alissa White-Gluz)

[flower-yi]

omg i’m kinda late but 48 + alhaitham?

nothing needs to be said. just wordlessly handing him a cup, just how he likes it. however, you being the one to fix it for him unprompted is the best part; he’s reminded that the peaceful life he’s worked hard to cultivate for himself wouldn’t be the same without you, the one he loves.

48. Getting them a coffee just the way they like it. | "Do you think there is anywhere, in any language, a word billowing enough for the pleasure that fills you, as the sun reaches out; as it warms you as you stand there, empty-handed—or have you, too, turned from this world, or have you, too, gone crazy for power, for things?" — The Sun, Mary Oliver

When Alhaitham wakes, it is dawn and the birds are yet to chirp. He is not a morning person—he does not rise with the sun and set with it, instead choosing to follow what his body does, but now, his eyes are bleary as they blink open.

The feeling of you over his chest is familiar, him being pressed down on the mattress with both of your combined weights. It's funny, how he'd rather soak in the moment you are there in his arms; dead asleep; most likely drooling; but he finds that he doesn't mind. He lifts his hand to splay it over the expanse of your back, turns his head to nose your hair, and breathes.

His duties as a scribe have yet to call him, and he can lay here, with no other responsibility other than loving you.

But restlessness overcomes him—perhaps something he's gotten from you: lively and cheerful as you are. So, he shifts, gently, to move you out of his hold, and lays you down on the bed with the sheets up to your chin. The weight of you on him remains like a phantom, as if he shouldn't have moved in the first place.

Alhaitham leaves bed, but not without giving you another look. He's right: you're drooling. (Until he's wiped it off, he doesn't go.)

Things have changed when you came into the picture. You were something his friends hadn't known until a band of gold was around your finger, something he'd kept hidden—but you were in no way a secret. You were an oath he promised to keep, and out of respect, Kaveh moved to find another place.

(You were worried for him when he decided to. The concerned looks you shot Alhaitham with whenever Kaveh's situation was ever mentioned in conversation shouldn't had faze him as it should, despite the repeated attempts of assurance given to mostly you.

He'd known Kaveh would find a place for himself, strangely affordable and was perfect for his career; meaning that he could go off and hammer down every nook and cranny away with no one to wake other than his neighbours. His senior had cheerfully shared the news, then, to you and both Cyno and Tighnari, and while you remained unaware—mostly, he thinks you know but say nothing—the two had the knowledge that the house Kaveh was staying in was negotiated to a lower, reasonable price; one where an architect with too big of a heart can afford.

Alhaitham admits that, after he's moved, he's kept Kaveh's room clean in case he decides to crash.)

The home is quiet, this time. There is no abundant laughter, soft singing, or conversation that comes with his arrival to the living room. It is too unfamiliar and too different, so unlike the routine he's kept for years on end, and so, he forgoes the need to eat.

With a book in hand, from the bookshelf down the hallway across your shared room, he sits down on one of the divans and reads.

When the birds are chirping, and the sunshine begins to trickle in, so do you too come shuffling out of the bedroom, hair messy and shirt sizes too large for you, to head to the kitchen.

He's sure you don't notice him in the living room. If he wanted to scare you, he'd say something smart, but instead, he watches.

You prepare the coffee with practiced steps. A clatter then and there, then he sees a pan set on the stove—are you going to make kebab, or shawarma? A sizzle sets in the air, the smell of meat drafting over him, and Alhaitham buries his nose into the book with the knowledge that when he's finished, he can eat.

As the other plate is placed on your side, he bookmarks the last page he's on and rises from the divan, crossing the living room in long strides.

"Good morning," he greets, already up in your space to hug you from behind to nose that space on your neck; kisses abound that makes tickles. Your energy comes later in the day, so, what he gets in reaction is a low sigh and an exchange of his greeting, "Mm, morning. Why didn't you eat ahead of me?"

You've noticed him in the living room, then. "Your cooking tastes better," Alhaitham surmises, but it is the truth; he would never say a lie, especially to you. "And food tastes better with company."

"Is that what you always say to Kaveh first thing in the morning?"

He makes a face. "I believe it's the other way around."

Despite morning having risen for you just minutes ago, your laugh comes out full and warm. He can feel it, just like this, when he holds you—the shaking of your shoulders, the little breaths you take in between—and it feels like home.

"Sit already, Hayi," His protests are quickly swallowed because you move away from him swiftly, but never departing without a kiss, and you go back to the stove and counters to pick up the dallah and two fenjals for the both of you.

He watches you pour his cup of coffee, and it smells rich, pleasant, and... sweet, just how he likes it. (He ignores the mischief in your features.) In return, he pours your own cup, and then you are seated in front of him.

When Alhaitham takes the first sip, the day has started—and it is with you.

want to send in a prompt? just go to my askbox, and send in any character from hsr, genshin and lnds. there's a one character per prompt limit, but nonetheless, don't get discouraged!

[sidereon-spaceace]

torn between wanting to make all my ocs Specialest Little Guys and overpowered VS. the fact I just finished watching all three extended editions of Lord of the Rings and am deeply moved by the struggles and worth of the common man

[kaisollisto]

i promise you won't even know im there

[liesmyth]

Not incest, but related to the same name thing: my friend sold her house to a gay couple called John and John. I don't know why you'd do that. It feels illegal. One of you needs to change his name.

I DONT MEAN TO KINKSHAME THE JOHNS. I know there are happy solid couples who share a first name. But I also think it could be kinda psychosexual maybe... would modern AU Jaime Lannister hook up with a woman named Jamie. what do we think

[throwawayasoiafaccount]

if westeros was created to reflect our modern society instead of being loosely based off of western medieval society, then i think people would understand that these political marriages are for alliances, not love, and would agree that the modern lower class sentiments towards marriage are simply not applicable to these arrangements and both bride and groom cannot and should not expect love from their partner.

if our story occurred in a modern westeros very similar to our own modern society, then a lot of the obstacles our characters face would not happen because, simply put, modern society benefits from equality.

as an example, i am quite (100%) certain that the introduction of gender equality and other modern values and advancements to westeros would only be beneficial to rhaegar and elia, which means that this ideology benefits westerosi society on an individual level.

so, in this modern westeros au, if rhaegar and elia still married for a political alliance, and then had two children like they did in asoiaf, they could then peacefully divorce and write out a contract that secures both rhaenys and aegons inheritances. if lyanna and rhaegar met and fell in love while rhaegar and elia were married then the misunderstanding that sparked a war would never have happened. why? because lyanna would have a say in who she marries in this modern au. also, elia would have possibly been seeing others as well. why? because this was a political marriage and love shouldn’t be expected, so why would anyone be concerned about either party finding love outside of their marriage? plus modern westeros would have dna testing so there’s no reason to question the paternity of their children.

also, if elia had a child with someone else (in this hypothetical scenario, perhaps her lover died) and rhaegar decided to claim that child as his own while knowing that he’s not the real father in order to give this child a better life, then this wouldn’t be a problem either. why? because rhaegar’s in the know. (i’m only bringing this up bc of the rhaenyra and laenor situation. guys… laenor is perfectly aware that biologically those kids aren’t his, yet he still claimed them and loved them bc he and rhaenyra had an agreement. i do not understand why real ppl are even concerned about jace, luke, and joffs parentage. in the eyes of the law those boys are legally laenors.)

however, since asoiaf isn’t based off of our modern society and is instead a society riddled with misogyny, xenophobia and other social issues without the progress and advancements that we in the 21st century have benefited from, i will concede one thing to these antis who harp on and on about how selfish rhaenyra and rhaegar were for loving someone who wasn’t their spouse and for having a child(ren) out of wedlock.

because yes, rhaegar and lyanna’s love can be considered an act of selfishness, and rhaenyra loving harwin and having children with him can also be considered selfish.

but guess what? love in general is a very selfish state of being. you are prioritizing your partner and your desires over everything and everyone else in your life.

one of the greatest love stories of all time, romeo and juliet, is a tale of two selfish lovers who seek to be together despite the immense hatred between their families. selfless and dutiful children would never love an enemy. and yet, despite romeo and juliet’s love story ending in tragedy, no one would ever argue that these two lovers were in the wrong for simply trying to be together even though their love caused their families great grief. why? because the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets was stupid. and the story ends with the characters agreeing that this feud went on for long enough and acknowledging the fact that this petty feud between the families was the cause of their misery and the tragedy that befell them.

though the circumstances of all three love stories are different, it’s undeniable that these lovers were selfish for prioritizing their own desires over their duties to their houses.

to end this little spiel, i’d like to mention that the reason i first brought up a modern au was to remind people that the only reason rhaelya and rhaenyra’s relationship with harwin can be so decisively called selfish is because these characters live in westeros. and westeros is a fucked up society rooted in systematic oppression, violence, and abuse and other forms of exploitation in order to further the agenda of the powerful despite the harm it causes. any modern comforts and progressive ideas hinder the control the patriarchs have over their families and put a name to the bigotry expressed against these unconventional relationships. so yes, their love is selfish because being unconventional in such a backwards society is a recipe for disaster, especially since both of these relationships hinge on a woman deciding to take control of her sexual autonomy, which is a big no no in westeros since a woman’s body only belongs to her father and husband. so yes, these love stories are selfish because these characters are prioritizing themselves in a society that benefits from them losing their autonomy and harms them and their loved ones when they try to take back their autonomy.

to finish off, the reason i brought up the tragic love story of romeo and juliet is to remind people that even though rhaegar and lyanna’s love was selfish, other characters still need to be held accountable for their actions that helped to escalate this misunderstanding into a tragedy that consumed all of westeros.

[laugtherhyena]

Got bored, decided to draw what i think beni would look like as a cat. I couldnt figure out colors, though. One of my ideas was a chimera with brown and yellow/blonde/tan fur, but i decided against it.

Dude are we in sync or something cuz just a few days back i was thinking which of them had more cat or dog energy,,

I really like the drawing! I like the long fur and lil fluff on the ears + it made me actually wanna get my lazy ass into drawing Beni and Akira as silly animals so here they are :]

I always had in mind Beni would be some kind of calico-esc cat so i could show both of her hair colors through kitty form (don't ask me to draw those patterns again tho-) and Akira is some kind of mixed breed dog, something between a labrador and a shiba inu.

[notfinancialadvice]

WordPress Shifts in industry news I am not a part of but enjoy gossiping about

I used to do a a lot of work using WordPress as a system. It's easy, cheap to build and maintain with, etc.

I do not anymore. This has nothing to do with WordPress. It was exclusively a "a few years ago I received the opportunity to bow out of the industry as a graphic designer in order to pursue a cocktail of art, fantasy, economy, and business"

I used to be a customer of Advanced Custom Fields. I am no longer, for the same reason as above, I am no longer a web developer. Their service was good to me and I enjoyed it tremendously while I had it.

I have therefore no stake in this game and thus no public opinion.

And yet I enjoy the drama of it all so here we are.

WordPress is forking.

Or maybe it isn't a fork.

The core, mesmerizing, (and I do not say this lightly) potentially civilization changing beauty of open source software is the ability to meet different, often diametrically opposing, priorities.

"Civilization-changing is kinda heavy language?"

via

No :)

A significant portion of the internet as we know it today is powered by WordPress. It has and will continue to shape the entire scope and scale of internet development for longer than anyone reading this will be alive -- for good and for ill.

WordPress was primarily a blogging system that could build websites as well. With the introduction of externally-based Advanced Custom Fields, it became a powerhouse web builder as well.

The short version: You could easily say "put this image / text / whatever here in the template."

It was a game changer to many smaller scale developers (hi) with a tiny staff. It allowed us (me + team) to grow much more powerful very quickly and very affordably.

Digging into the news further, there is / was chatter about pulling in the core functionality of ACF into WP's main system.

It brings an interesting point to the open source space.

And goes to my original points above.

If you make something open, how much control do you have over it? If you profit from it, how long can this last before it gets pulled into the core?

That is a risk as a developer -- you could potentially lose your business because it gets folded into the larger entity, but on the other hand, until that point, your reward was immediate accessibility to a market / system a million times larger than you, that you had previously no hand in building.

It is a tragedy of the commons.

I had long forgotten this phrase.

I'm familiar with the concept -- a public finite resource is at risk of overuse from all because it is available to all -- it largely joins with the core issue of economics itself -- how do you find balance with finite resources and infinite desires.

It is the nature of art on the internet.

Artists want to make art and it to be seen, they put it online. Audiences do not by nature owe them anything, the art is available to view for free, but without audience support, the art will stop or degrade in posting frequency.

More directly, to the WordPress sphere, what is the responsibility to the core system (thus other users)? What is the responsibility of the users to the core system?

Objectively speaking, building and maintaining a system like WordPress requires a lot of resources.

The open source nature allows for competing priorities to be served provided enough resources, because you can always say "I don't want to follow your path of ABC, I want to do BCD" and then do that.

The open source nature also allows you to say "I made a widget, it costs $100/year"

But the core can say "Hm. That would make our system stronger. Yoink. Now it's ours and is free."

Then you have a market race to push to build the better whatever.

I...

...do not have answers.

To any of this.

I am left realizing.

It feels like macroeconomics and personal economics grinding against each other in a way that is traditionally seen across countries (if not the world) and decades (if not centuries) -- but in this instance, it's a much smaller scale (kinda? WP powers a lot of the internet and influences a significant portion of what it doesn't power).

And weeks and months.

Instead of decades and centuries.

This is a fun piece of bone to chew on.

I freely admit it is fun exclusively because I am not involved. If I were, it would be fucking nerve wracking.

[finelythreadedsky]

might fuck around and come up with a theory of greek tragedy based on like. idk. iphigenia in tauris.

[milkweedman]

yeah the past had some enjoyable activities. im currently partaking in sitting outside in the shade on a cool windy day carding some fleece I've been washing and dyeing with berries i picked from the trees out front and keeping an eye on the bread i've got rising in the sun on the front steps while another couple pounds of wool dries on a rack. and its nice. but here's what historical reenactors don't tell you: every single medieval peasant and serf would have been watching minecraft videos pretty much nonstop if theyd had half the chance.