Parable

In order to explain a complex problem, a parable might be helpful.

ATTENTION: this is just a parable, so don't try this in reality!

Ship Race Parable

The 'Ship Race Parable' is an idea of a representation of one of the most complex problems we have:

• The Climate Crisis

It will perhaps help explain the complex problem in a way easier to understand.

Less complex representation

World = Ocean / Ship Race:

There is a Ship Race; big ships containing a high number of people are on the ocean in a race.

There are different decks on the ship. On the upper deck there are people that have fun shooting around with guns. Unfortunately, some of the bullets hit ships. Some of the bullets hit ships underwater, so water gets in.

The lower 3rd (World) decks get underwater first. 3rd (World) deck people try to get to the next higher level, but the 2nd (World) deck people don't want them there because it's already hot and crowded with 2nd (World) people. They close the hatches and state that 3rd (World) people must not come up since there is not much room left.

Crop farmers are also on 2nd (World) deck. They noticed that crop is not growing as fast anymore as in the past. The 2nd (World) deck people need the crop because they can exchange it for ammo from the 1st (World) deck people.
1st (World) deck people are the leading ones on the ship. Most of the time they have fun shooting around with guns, leading to the problem mentioned at the beginning. There are also some scientists realizing that the problem gets bigger and bigger, if the shooting won't stop. Activists are aware of that as well and try to stop the people from shooting.

On the 1st deck there is also the galley of the ship that can turn the 2nd deck crop into bread to feed the 1st (World) deck people.

The captain of the ship is mostly busy with steering the ship on the race / regatta. The more the ship gets accelerated the more water comes in because of the holes from the gunfire.

Rules:

• Only the ship leading the race may exchange goods with a 'higher' force. Bread can be exchanged for ammunition. Also old guns can be exchanged for newer ones with more penetrating power (and therefore more harm can be caused).
• The gun people want to shoot, because they love the sound it makes and its somehow freedom for them. They know that it causes damage, but they tell themselves that it will only have an effect in the distant future (in about 500 years), certainly not if they are still alive.
• The people with the guns cannot be forced to stop shooting, because they have the guns. (they probably need to be convinced somehow)
• The activists cannot force the gun people to stop. They must do it in a more subtle way, otherwise they will get shot.
• Every month there is a vote for the captain. Only the 1st (World) deck people are allowed to vote. If the crowd is satisfied, the captain usually gets re-elected.
• The 'higher' force that produces guns and ammo needs bread in exchange. It already earned a super high amount of bread. But instead of giving it to the people in the lower 3rd (World) deck people who desperately need it, it keeps it for itself.
• ...

If you would like to suggest optimizations, please let us know.