Yes. This second order issue where publicly (or predictably) pre-committing to “not negotiate with terrorists” doesn’t come through in many discussions.
Translating the insight through to Hofstadter’s parable of the tolling bell, the lack of any clear motive on the part of the postcard-demanding demon’s becomes much more vivid. Why didn’t Hofstadter give the demons a realistic motivation? Modeling the demon’s as having an inscrutably weird appreciation for postcards, the apathy of the townsfolk (who largely refusing to capitulate and spend large amounts of time writing postcards) could be seen as a refusal to “negotiate with terrorists” and in this sense it is perhaps morally praiseworthy? If the demons could have predicted the apathy/refusal but really wanted to change the townsfolk’s behavior, perhaps they might have used their powers in some other way?
Like maybe the demons, with their magic ability to conjure chemicals and build pipes, could have magically given people sprinkler systems for their lawn when they write a certain number of postcards? :-)
Yes. This second order issue where publicly (or predictably) pre-committing to “not negotiate with terrorists” doesn’t come through in many discussions.
Translating the insight through to Hofstadter’s parable of the tolling bell, the lack of any clear motive on the part of the postcard-demanding demon’s becomes much more vivid. Why didn’t Hofstadter give the demons a realistic motivation? Modeling the demon’s as having an inscrutably weird appreciation for postcards, the apathy of the townsfolk (who largely refusing to capitulate and spend large amounts of time writing postcards) could be seen as a refusal to “negotiate with terrorists” and in this sense it is perhaps morally praiseworthy? If the demons could have predicted the apathy/refusal but really wanted to change the townsfolk’s behavior, perhaps they might have used their powers in some other way?
Like maybe the demons, with their magic ability to conjure chemicals and build pipes, could have magically given people sprinkler systems for their lawn when they write a certain number of postcards? :-)