The Cobra Effect is Real... even if the cobras weren't

The video discusses unintended consequences of bounty systems. In India, a bounty on cobras led to breeding more snakes. In Vietnam, a bounty on rat tails resulted in tailless rats. In Java, a reward for skull fragments caused locals to smash complete skulls. These examples illustrate how incentives can backfire.

What unintended consequence arose from the British bounty on cobras in India?

• The British government profited from the policy.

• The policy was never implemented.

• Cobra farmers began breeding more cobras.

• The cobras were driven to extinction.

What was the initial outcome of the British cobra bounty policy?

• It initially seemed successful with many dead cobras delivered.

• It was a complete failure from the start.

• It was never implemented due to lack of interest.

• It led to the extinction of cobras.

How did the French bounty on rat tails in Vietnam backfire?

• The policy was ignored by the locals.

• Rats were exterminated completely.

• Rats were bred in captivity.

• Rats were released after their tails were cut off.

What was the result of the German paleontologist's reward for skull fragments in Java?

• Complete skulls were preserved.

• Skulls were broken into pieces to increase earnings.

• The reward was never claimed.

• Locals stopped searching for skulls.

What common theme is shared by the examples of incentive policies in the transcript?

• All policies were implemented in the 21st century.

• All policies were ignored by the locals.

• All policies led to unintended negative consequences.

• All policies were successful in eradicating pests.