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I don't really understand the lesson behind "Control the agenda" or "Be the agent of chaos". > Use these underlying power dynamics to control the agenda How d

I don't really understand the lesson behind "Control the agenda" or "Be the agent of chaos". > Use these underlying power dynamics to control the agenda How did Stalin do this, exactly? What topic did he fight to avoid? > If you’ve ever been an A student in a group project with a C student (or vice versa), you know this game. Know what game?

probably_wrong 8y ago
Regarding your second question: the "game" in which a C student doesn't do their part in a group project and the A student has to decide whether to do all the work by him/herself or to accept that the C student will turn in crappy work and both will get a B. If you care less about the consequences of your action than the other part, you get an advantage. This is not really recommended as a negotiation strategy in the long run (it only works once, and the other person is now your enemy), but it's good to know it can happen.
- AnimalMuppet 8y ago
  In light of current US politics, I find this idea rather frightening.
sankyo 8y ago
I agree, rather cryptic. As I read it I thought, “interesting, please elaborate”, but there was no follow up
masayune 8y ago
The A student wants the highest grade possible and will maneuver in a way where the C student will do actual work without affecting quality. In the event the C student is beyond useless, the A student decides between doing all the work or throwing the C student under the bus. The C student will take any grade C and up and strives to do as little as possible whilst not pissing off the A student to go ballistic and report you to the professor.
ineedasername 8y ago
On be the agent of chaos: Generally this is referred to as brinksmanship. The philosophy of brinksmanship is basically that when a situation is stable it is difficult to change. Takeing it to the the brink with chaos means you may be able to settle the chaos more in your favor. The problem with it is that it's an awful long term strategy. In terms of game theory it's essentially the "defection" strategy, and negative sum. In fact much of this blog posting seems to me like it could just as well be titled "a sociopath's guide"

probably_wrong 8y ago

Regarding your second question: the "game" in which a C student doesn't do their part in a group project and the A student has to decide whether to do all the work by him/herself or to accept that the C student will turn in crappy work and both will get a B. If you care less about the consequences of your action than the other part, you get an advantage. This is not really recommended as a negotiation strategy in the long run (it only works once, and the other person is now your enemy), but it's good to know it can happen.

AnimalMuppet 8y ago
In light of current US politics, I find this idea rather frightening.

sankyo 8y ago

I agree, rather cryptic. As I read it I thought, “interesting, please elaborate”, but there was no follow up

masayune 8y ago

The A student wants the highest grade possible and will maneuver in a way where the C student will do actual work without affecting quality. In the event the C student is beyond useless, the A student decides between doing all the work or throwing the C student under the bus. The C student will take any grade C and up and strives to do as little as possible whilst not pissing off the A student to go ballistic and report you to the professor.

ineedasername 8y ago

On be the agent of chaos: Generally this is referred to as brinksmanship. The philosophy of brinksmanship is basically that when a situation is stable it is difficult to change. Takeing it to the the brink with chaos means you may be able to settle the chaos more in your favor. The problem with it is that it's an awful long term strategy. In terms of game theory it's essentially the "defection" strategy, and negative sum. In fact much of this blog posting seems to me like it could just as well be titled "a sociopath's guide"