First, I agree with the ultimate point that looking for creative solutions is the right approach to many real-world problems. Harsh tradeoffs are real sometimes, but you should really make sure you’re exhuasting your options before accepting them. And don’t trust leaders who assure you “we’ve got to sacrifice to Moloch,oh and that also means I get to stay in charge”.
A nitpick: starving Moloch is only a better solution if you care about everyone and not just yourself. Humans profess to care about everyone a lot more than they really do, becuase doing that (and even thinking that) is strategically useful.
But when it’s time to make decisions like “should we refuse to sacrifice even though half of us will be killed”, people make much more selfish decisions. A 100% chance of living under Moloch usuallly sounds better than freeing your descendents from Moloch but accdepting a 50% chance of dying.
That’s why Moloch is a problem, so solutions need to address the individual perspective.
Humans profess to care about everyone a lot more than they really do, because doing that (and even thinking that) is strategically useful.
A bit bleak… but yes, your logic checks out, and hence why coordination problems are so sticky (I did sort of claim to solve the problem didn’t I? Oops, back to the drawing board).
First, I agree with the ultimate point that looking for creative solutions is the right approach to many real-world problems. Harsh tradeoffs are real sometimes, but you should really make sure you’re exhuasting your options before accepting them. And don’t trust leaders who assure you “we’ve got to sacrifice to Moloch,oh and that also means I get to stay in charge”.
A nitpick: starving Moloch is only a better solution if you care about everyone and not just yourself. Humans profess to care about everyone a lot more than they really do, becuase doing that (and even thinking that) is strategically useful.
But when it’s time to make decisions like “should we refuse to sacrifice even though half of us will be killed”, people make much more selfish decisions. A 100% chance of living under Moloch usuallly sounds better than freeing your descendents from Moloch but accdepting a 50% chance of dying.
That’s why Moloch is a problem, so solutions need to address the individual perspective.
A bit bleak… but yes, your logic checks out, and hence why coordination problems are so sticky (I did sort of claim to solve the problem didn’t I? Oops, back to the drawing board).