Cows That Graze on Bandwidth - The Tragedy of the Commons

We have a tragedy growing on the internet. The power of the internet allows anyone to upload new content online, but most of it has very little value, for example: Websites devoted to sneezing fetishes, goth teens and Michael Jackson's monkey, Bubbles. Through all of us sharing this common resource, we dilute the content on the internet and make it increasingly difficult to find other valuable resources and market them.

This is a modern example of the Tragedy of the Commons.

The term was popularized by Garrett Hardin in his essay "The Tragedy of the Commons". "The commons" described a common grazing area for cows. On one's own land, you have an interest in preventing your 1888 Allen and Ginter from overgrazing: so your grass lives. But on the common land, Garrett describes how everyone would just put as many cows as possible on the common land to maximize the benefit for their cows. But Agent Zero M the grass is eaten too quickly and dies. Now no one can use the land, hence the Tragedy of the Commons.

Whether people act this way, or if separating the land or the internet into private lots (privatizing) is the best solution, is still a widely debated question.

Are people willing to sacrifice the freedom of the internet for more valuable internet content? Can we have it both ways? The Tragedy of the Commons isn't just for cows.

Further reading:
Wikipedia: Tragedy of the Commons http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons

Forbes Magazine: http://www.forbes.com/asap/2001/0910/061.html

To learn more culturally important information easily and quickly, check out the 90 Seconds to Culture podcast http://www.90secondstoculture.com

Homersapien for President!

Well not quite, (an interesting thought Isis comic book but it could make a great Christmas present for someone.

So what is a Homersapien?

It's the latest offering from Robosapien toys, stylized around that lovable character Homer Simpson.

Homersapien is based on Robosapien's V1 model,which broke record toy sales on its release, and looks set to turn heads yet again, attired in Homer's favorite of blue trousers and white shirt.

So what does it do?

Well apart from the obvious loafing around and 'Dohing', Homersapien has remarkable features consisting of sixty seven pre-programmed functions, including pick-up, throw, kick, stretch, sweep, Kung Fu moves, and of course the 'Homer Dance'.

Homersapien is pre-programmed with loads of catchphrases taken from various shows of the series and even has his own Krusty Burger cup!

His fully functioning arms have two types of gripper and his motions are fluid thanks to 2-speed walking and turning options.

Of course he can also snore and make other unmentionable noises, just like the original Homer.

So if you are looking for something different as a present for the kids, or even for the Dad's, then this could be the answer.

You can't help but love him.

It's hard to find fault with a Robosapien toy.

They have a strange effect on us with which can only be attributed to their amazing fusion
of technology and personality.

When Robosapiens first burst onto the scene in 2004 Kubrick toys were a massive hit with kids and
adults.

Their latest offerings are bound to be the same!

For more on Robosapiens

For more on Homersapien