[MattGaiser]

The problem is that the right time for something is usually a sacrifice in a time of abundance. So nobody wants to think about such a negative during good times and thus no action is taken.

[Kerrick]

When things are good, “we don’t need collective action, look how good things are.”

When things are bad, “I can’t afford the risks of collective action, look how bad things are.”

When things are borderline, “We shouldn’t make any important decisions about collective action now, look how tenuous things are.”