I’m happy that you adressed this topic. It adresses a certain failure mode about instrumental rationality that may commonly cause high-status people to make poor decisions.
However, I don’t think your narrative about human civilization, the birth of politics etc. is actually necessary for your conclusion. I think at best it’s dubious as far as historical accuracy goes, and entertaining as a metaphor for the different layers for human interaction with each other and the environment.
The example with the persons’ heads, I found much more helpful at understanding your conclusion (which I share in general). It’s a good post. If I could suggest a change, I would cut out the social evolution bit and fill it with more examples, counter-examples, and border cases, preferrably taken from the real world.
I’m happy that you adressed this topic. It adresses a certain failure mode about instrumental rationality that may commonly cause high-status people to make poor decisions.
However, I don’t think your narrative about human civilization, the birth of politics etc. is actually necessary for your conclusion. I think at best it’s dubious as far as historical accuracy goes, and entertaining as a metaphor for the different layers for human interaction with each other and the environment.
The example with the persons’ heads, I found much more helpful at understanding your conclusion (which I share in general). It’s a good post. If I could suggest a change, I would cut out the social evolution bit and fill it with more examples, counter-examples, and border cases, preferrably taken from the real world.
Thanks for the useful suggestion. This appears to emerging as a consensus. I’ll probably either tidy up the second section or cut it when I have time.