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Collective Action Problem

/kəˈlɛk.tɪv ˈæk.ʃən ˈprɒb.ləm/ Organization Theory (Mancur Olson)
Definition The paradox that individuals in a large group will not act to achieve their common interests if they can benefit from the group's effort without contributing (free-riding). It explains why platform monopolies persist despite user dissatisfaction.

The Free Rider

Mancur Olson famously argued that "rational, self-interested individuals will not act to achieve their common or group interests" unless the group is small or there is coercion. Why fight for a clean environment (or a better internet) if you get to enjoy it anyway?

Myceloom addresses this not through coercion, but through Nested Scale. By breaking large networks into smaller, federated nodes, individual contributions become visible and socially meaningful again. You can't hide in a small village; you can't free-ride in a small node.

Selective Incentives

Another solution is "selective incentives"—benefits that only go to contributors. In Myceloom, access to certain layers of the My-Sea-Loom or specific resource flows is contingent on participation, aligning individual self-interest with the collective good.

Stratigraphy (Related Concepts)
Coalition Coalition Substrate Mycorrhizal Economics