Volunteer's dilemma

Imagine you and your friend are painting a wall together. You both know that it will be easier and faster if both of you work together. But the problem is, both of you have to carry a heavy paint bucket to the wall. You think if you let your friend carry the paint bucket alone, you can rest and do nothing for a while.

Your friend might think the same way. So, you both try to avoid carrying the heavy bucket, assuming that the other person will do the heavy lifting. But in the end, the wall won't get painted if none of you carry the paint bucket. This is called the volunteer's dilemma.

Similarly, in real-life situations, individuals in a group often face the dilemma of whether or not to volunteer for a task. Everyone assumes someone else will volunteer, so no one steps forward, and the task remains undone. It's essential to realize that taking individual responsibility and volunteering can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.