violence / revolution
the assumption of selfishness seems naive. Social interactions require collaboration and cooperation with others. Selfishness and egotism are not traits associated with the ability to interact fruitfully with other people. Cooperating and caring about others is not, in that sense, “irrational”.
Lionel Page • The game theoretical foundations of morality
The Law of Talion, one of the oldest recorded laws dating back to Babylonian times, states that retaliation should be in proportion to the offence: "an eye for an eye." The reciprocity of the Law of Talion can be found in the oldest known code of law, the Code of Hammurabi from 1750 BCE.
The game theoretical foundations of morality
While disagreements can be deep and fierce, looking for a minimal common ground and peaceful ways to settle conflicts is likely more valuable in the long term.
The delusion of political violence
Once physical elimination is off the table, you still have to share the society you live in with the people you committed violence against. Political violence is typically not the end of a conflict but the start of more tension and violence.
The delusion of political violence
However, our propensity to entertain violence is likely miscalibrated to our modern world, where the cost of violence is very high for the perpetrator.
The delusion of political violence
Just take a step back and ask yourself: Is sending this tweet, posting this insta story, issuing this inflammatory text like a press release to my right-wing Dad or left-wing aunt putting us on the path to passing comprehensive gun control legislation? Or achieving universal mental health care? The cost of getting a tangible policy win is often
... See moreProtests are in part a rejection of traditional methods of registering opinion. Their increasing regularity indicates that people believe voting and calling their representatives are insufficient.
The Problem With America’s Protest Feedback Loop
eople in left-leaning movements know full well that some of their own supporters are undermining message discipline and strategic imperatives.
The Problem With America’s Protest Feedback Loop
Media attention flocks to the most radical and provocative elements and emboldens the voices on the fringes.