👉 The commons fluid, a term coined by philosopher Garrett Hardin in his seminal 1968 paper "The Tragedy of the Commons," refers to a shared resource that is accessible and utilized by many individuals or groups, such as air, water, forests, or even the internet. Unlike private goods that are exclusive and can be owned, commons fluids are non-excludable and rivalrous, meaning that one person's use diminishes the availability for others, and no one can effectively prevent anyone from using them. Hardin argued that without effective regulation or community management, these resources are prone to overuse and depletion, leading to their degradation. The concept highlights the need for collective action and governance to ensure sustainable management of shared resources.
