There’s a village with a shared pasture, where every farmer can graze their sheep.

Each farmer has his own land, but would prefer to graze for free in the commons. Sheep eat – no personal cost.

The “tragedy of the commons” explains how each farmer, seeking just a slight edge over the others, adds one more animal to save his own grassland at the expense of everyone. Eventually, the grass dwindles to nothing. A component of the human condition.

Pretty well-known idea. But here’s something new: reverse-tragedy of the commons. Something I’m calling “triumph of the wilderness”.

It works like this:

What happens when the children of the farmers wake up and see the sorry remains of the commons?

Some squabble over the shrinking patch of dirt – sure. But not all.

Some gather. They plan. They build information networks. They coordinate, recruit, and begin preparations to leave. They set out looking for rivers. Fertile soil. Light packs, heavy steps. Blistered feet, but no signs of slowing down.

Days bleed into weeks. Some lose themselves along the way; others turn back. But those at the forefront start to learn. Start to understand. They make maps, circulating them among the group. Mistakes are corrected, standards enforced. Weaknesses shed, but no man left behind.

Orders given without a word. Silent, diligent execution during the day. Heated discussions late into the night. Everyone hungry, but not the kind solved with a meal.

The boys from the farm died in the crucible that gave birth to these men.

Systems built to punish comfort before scarcity. Compounding good fortune. Delayed gratification. Refusing the siren call of zero-sum games. “There is enough for us all to eat,” they say, firmly. All in agreement. Many men, one vision.

Hierarchies spring up – seamlessly collapsing and reforming as competency economies shift. Temporary deference. Permanent loyalty. Respect, always. Rank rests on proof, and proof changes with the task. See the path. Call the march. Maintain. Preserve for those who come after. And after again.

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There’s a glimmer of this energy in culture today. Pre–golden era. Early, definitely – but I’m optimistic. Excited, even.

“Tragedy of the commons” says: take where taking is easy, before your neighbour does. The grass won’t last.

That story is stale. Cracks appearing. A new story is required. It might be starting.

“Triumph of the wilderness” says the pasture is only as weak as the habit that tends it. Get more as needed. Give back. Abundance.

Green fields follow green minds, and green minds are forged in the wild.