Economic Growth & Adam Smith's 'Invisible Hand'

Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit — in a world that is limited.  Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own best interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons.  Freedom in the commons brings ruin to all.

 — Garrett Hardin 'The Tragedy Of The Commons'

One Foot In The Grave

The essence of dramatic tragedy is not unhappiness.  It resides in the solemnity of the remorseless working of things. … This inevitableness of destiny can only be illustrated in terms of human life by incidents which in fact involve unhappiness.  For it is only by them that the futility of escape can be made evident in the drama.

 — Alfred North Whitehead

Conspiracy Theory

Never attribute to conspiracy that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
— Robert Heinlein