2 ms·
It can be rational to appear irrational. It is a tactic that is widely used by extortionists; as an extortionist you want to impose as much fear as possible on
by misja111 10y ago
It can be rational to appear irrational. It is a tactic that is widely used by extortionists; as an extortionist you want to impose as much fear as possible on your opponent that you will execute your threat. And if you're unpredictable that threat looks more scary so your victim might be more willing to pay.
- GunboatDiplomat 10y agoSee Richard Nixon's Madman Theory. >I call it the Madman Theory, Bob. I want the North Vietnamese to believe I've reached the point where I might do anything to stop the war. We'll just slip the word to them that, "for God's sake, you know Nixon is obsessed about communism. We can't restrain him when he's angry—and he has his hand on the nuclear button" and Ho Chi Minh himself will be in Paris in two days begging for peace.