"Using the commons as a cesspool does not harm the general public under frontier conditions, because there is no public, the same behavior in a metropolis is unbearable"

This quote by Garrett Hardin is describing the idea of the commons, which is a common resource that is readily available to all participants of a society. Hardin is saying that when a society remains in its onset, or in a "frontier" condition, it is not a problem for the commons to be made use of as a cesspool, as there is no public to be influenced by it. However, when a culture is more established, or in a "metropolitan area" problem, this very same actions is excruciating, as it affects the public. This quote is highlighting the significance of looking after the commons, as it is a common source that is essential to the functioning of a culture.