Lyrics Tragedy of the Commons - The Human Project

Tragedy of the Commons

To overlook a social problem
Can’t possibly be true to where we’re from
In the absence of a prophecy to call on
Don’t look out for number one
We all share common land
We think we understand
What is fair and what is right
But when we stand to gain
And share the loss throughout the chain
A tragedy will then be in our sight
We must appeal to the conscience
For a way of mutual temperance
We need to choose all the constants
To avoid a rough consequence
Freedom and all self-liberty
Are what we stand to lose
If we don’t choose the majority
This time we need to recognize
That history is now
There is no future
If we don’t compromise
In our hands it lies
Fouling our own nest so long as we behave as independents
Locked into a system in which we all lose
We all pollute, in a pursuit, we don’t dispute the values that are questioned
Keep the prize we reap, however steep the cost, there’s no need to abuse
A standoff that compels us to increase
Without limit or means for our release
Ruin is the destination to which it leads
A declaration that when there’s no seeds to sell
We’re left with ourselves
Chorus 1 and 2
Bridge
Who’s to blame for this tragedy?
It isn’t me or you which is true paradoxically
To accept responsibility for actions that we take will set examples
It comes as no surprise
In our hands it lies