Final answer:
The question relates to social responsibility and collective action problems, specifically the tragedy of the commons, and demonstrates how individual reluctance to take responsibility can exacerbate environmental issues like global climate change and waste management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "Why am I suddenly the only one responsible for the trash?" touches on themes related to social responsibility and collective action problems such as the tragedy of the commons, where individual actions can have negative outcomes on the entire group or society. This can be vividly seen in modern issues like global climate change, where the exploitation of shared resources and lack of individual accountability contributes to a larger environmental problem. The reluctance to accept personal blame and the pattern of shifting responsibility onto others are social behaviors contributing to this dilemma.
Modern examples include the creation and disposal of garbage, such as electronics, which contain numerous toxic chemicals. The management of such waste has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, exacerbated by the lack of individual accountability and the resulting pollution of shared environments like air quality and the Earth's oceans. The challenge is further compounded by Denial of Responsibility, where people refuse to acknowledge their role in contributing to such problems, often blaming external factors.