Using the Commons without causing a tragedy
jan@aina.li
2025-03-10, Berlin
Press O for overview.
About me
Understanding the Digital Commons
The Traditional Definition
Photo by Rod Allday licensed under CC BY-SA
The Digital Commons
Not like Adar and Huberman (2000) nor like Greco and Floridi (2004).
More like Benkler (2006).
But strictly open.
Examples
The Tragedy of the Digital Commons
I thought the Commons was something good...
Original problem statement
"That which is common to the greatest number gets the least amount of care. Men pay most attention to what is their own: they care less for what is common."
The Tragedy of the Commons
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Photo by Oregon State University licensed under CC BY-SA
In the Digital Commons
Not exactly the same problem as with physical commons, but there are still some resource problems.
- Overload
- Depletion
- Subversion
Overload
- Information overload
- Too much to handle
- Actual requests or bug reports
- AI slop
Depletion
- Burn-out (-> Xz)
- Cost of infrastructure
Subversion
- North Face -> Wikipedia
- Postnord -> OpenStreetMap
- Political vandalism -> Election witewashing, Ukraine/Russia
Is it always a tragedy?
The original theory refuted
Elinor Ostrom -> Nobel prize
Governance
How to transform that to the Digital realm?
Enforcing governance?
Strategies for responsible use
- Collaborative Use
- Responsible Contribution
- Ensuring Longevity
Collaborative Use
Remember that most Digital Commons are built by communities of volunteers.
Radiate intent
Don’t ask forgiveness, radiate intent
Radiating intent:
- gives a chance for someone to stop you, in case it’s harmful
- gives people an opening to participate
- leaves better evidence of your good will
- shows others that what they do are useful for an ecosystem
Promote direct engagement
Feedback loops
Entry points for the community
Attribute and promote the Commons resource
Use best practices for attribution of resources used.
Highlight the resource as such, through transparency:
- "Built using"
- "Powered by"
- ... etc.
Responsible Contribution
Read and follow guidelines
Really.
Be mindful of any impact
Burden of reviews (code and other kinds)
Ensuring Longevity
Contribute back to the Commons resource itself
- Add to the resource
- Enrich the resource
- Report errors
- Give feedback
Contribute back to the community
- Be a positive force in the commmunity
- Take on work benefitting the community
- Sponsor
- Act as a host
- Buy services
- Donate
Provide services
Extend the ecosystem in a symbiotic way
Why should you care?
Continued use
AND improved services
Be a role model
Fun!
and sense of pride
Call to Action
Use the Commons
With love and care.
Improve policy
Picture by Open Future licensed under CC BY
Summary
Tragedies can be avoided
It takes a conscious approach and effort
Beneficial for long-term use
Q&A
Contact
- Web: aina.li
- E-mail: jan@aina.li
- Mastodon: @ainali@social.coop
Acknowledgments
Proudly done in text using reveal.js, org-reveal, org-mode and gedit.
(All images have their own credits next to them.)