- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-0.mp3
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-0.mp4
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-I.mp3
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-I.mp4
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-II.mp3
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-II.mp4
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-III.mp3
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-III.mp4
- The-Challenge-of-Misaligned-Incentives-intro-live.mp3
[Intro]
Misaligned incentives
(Sensed in dollars)
Instead of preventives
(Screams and hollers)
Scream!
(Look at our scene)
Oh, so obscene
[Verse 2]
Navigation (of exploitation)
Glorification (of mass extinction)
Ignorance and arrogance
At the expense of existence
Misaligned incentives
(Sensed in dollars)
Instead of preventives
(Screams and hollers)
Scream!
(Look at our scene)
Oh, so obscene
[Bridge]
Mass consumption
(No, no reduction)
Lack of coordination
(No, no salvation)
[Chorus]
Misaligned incentives
(Sensed in dollars)
Instead of preventives
(Screams and hollers)
[Outro]
Scream!
(Look at our scene)
Oh, so obscene
A SCIENCE NOTE
John Nash’s quote, “The best responses of all players are in accordance with each other,” reflects the principle of a Nash Equilibrium in game theory, where each participant in a system acts in a way that is optimal given the actions of others. Applying this concept to the climate crisis reveals important insights about global cooperation and collective action.
The Challenge of Misaligned Incentives
Currently, many players act in ways that benefit themselves in the short term but harm the global effort. For example:
- Some countries prioritize fossil fuel exploitation over renewable energy.
- Corporations may lobby against environmental regulations to lower costs.
- Individuals often resist lifestyle changes, such as reducing consumption or switching to sustainable practices.
This lack of coordination leads to a “tragedy of the commons,” where shared resources (e.g., the atmosphere) are depleted to the detriment of all.