Early mornings can be invigorating but today I needed to catch the early train to Stockholm and when I say early I mean 05:55… So after dragging myself out of bed and through the dark streets of Göteborg I finally installed myself on the full train and began checking a work in progress – a piece on the Commons. The work is utilizes Hardin’s The Tragedy of the Commons, Carol Rose’s The Comedy of the Commons and Michael Heller’s The Tragedy of the Anticommons.

Most passengers on the direct train are experienced travellers who immediately fall asleep, the others sit and fondle their laptops. People sleeping on trains are not very attractive – maybe this is why I cannot sleep on trains! The good news is that at least the trains have Internet and a small cafeteria.

If we were to apply Hardin’s thoughts on “The Tragedy of the Commons” to the train compartment I suppose we would see people spreading out to make themselves even more comfortable. One or two would even lean against a neighbour enjoying the warmth and comfort, despite the obvious invasion of anothers privacy. Heller would argue that the individuals would all attempt to claim rights in the limited space that neither party would be able to enjoy what they have.

The train is probably a good example of the flaws in early commons theory. Since Hardins scenario oddly enough this does not happen. If anything the social factors involved make people acutely aware of not invading other peoples space. Even asleep social norms and spheres of privacy are respected.