I think this example is misleading; I could fill a water glass by myself one drop at a time, although it would take a long time. But, with many large problems such as pandemics and climate change, there is no feasible scenario where one person’s action makes a difference. Perhaps an example where I try to fill a swimming pool one drop at a time, while hundreds of gallons per minute pour out through the hole in the bottom.
Fair. (I was only trying to model a super specific aspect of this debate, not the entire problem).
Your example of filling the swimming pool one drop at a time while hundreds of gallons per minute pour out through the hole in the bottom is much better, and kind of disheartening to think about.
What’s a good strategy in that scenario? (maybe adding a twist: If the pool completely empties, we all die)
In that scenario, the strategy is probably to stop the leak or find a new pool, rather than trying to coordinate to fill it fast enough. Or perhaps just to enjoy the remaining water before we all die.
I’m reminded of the old military recommendation: “Sir, what should I do if I step on a mine?” “The recommended strategy is to leap 10 feet into the air and splatter yourself over a wide area”.
I think this example is misleading; I could fill a water glass by myself one drop at a time, although it would take a long time. But, with many large problems such as pandemics and climate change, there is no feasible scenario where one person’s action makes a difference. Perhaps an example where I try to fill a swimming pool one drop at a time, while hundreds of gallons per minute pour out through the hole in the bottom.
Fair. (I was only trying to model a super specific aspect of this debate, not the entire problem).
Your example of filling the swimming pool one drop at a time while hundreds of gallons per minute pour out through the hole in the bottom is much better, and kind of disheartening to think about.
What’s a good strategy in that scenario? (maybe adding a twist: If the pool completely empties, we all die)
In that scenario, the strategy is probably to stop the leak or find a new pool, rather than trying to coordinate to fill it fast enough. Or perhaps just to enjoy the remaining water before we all die.
I’m reminded of the old military recommendation: “Sir, what should I do if I step on a mine?” “The recommended strategy is to leap 10 feet into the air and splatter yourself over a wide area”.