ELI5 Jevons Paradox – why adding more lanes to a highway can make it worse?

Why does adding more lanes to a highway actually make traffic jams get even worse? How did the machine meant to end slavery accidentally make it ten times more profitable? Why did the invention of the ATM lead to more bank tellers instead of replacing them? Is your "eco-friendly" car actually causing you to burn more fuel than your old one? Why does being the most efficient worker in the office always result in being given more work?



... we explain like I'm five



Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: environmental_bus507, sharp_simple_2764, zem, m1ss1ontomars2k4, nowhereman136 and mammoth-mud-9609



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