Axioms: -The most important quality to succeeds is the ability to perform in high stakes, inter-personal, coopetitive, status-seeking, small world games (polit

Axioms: -The most important quality to succeeds is the ability to perform in high stakes, inter-personal, coopetitive, status-seeking, small world games (politics). -One of the most powerful tools to achieve results for an individual (and for a group ) is through the mastering of abstractions. Puzzle: -There seems to be a negative correlation between the willingness to engage in political games and the willingness to engage with abstractions despite the advantages both procure. (see the "Nerds" essay by Paul Graham [0]). Funny hypothesis: -Politics is the most dynamic, reflexive games there is. Abstraction handling requires (whether consciously or not ) to substract oneself from the world. Those two activities tend to exclude each other, or to consume a lot of energy when both running at full speed. ( they are polar opposite in 2x2 quadrant of [static,dynamic]x[contemplative,reflexive] ) -The silver linings is so much value can be created from mastering abstractions, that a small change in the conditions of the political field (by improving one's attention to it, or by limiting artificially the field like in a elite school) is enough to tip the balance. ---- [0]http://www.paulgraham.com/nerds.html http://www.paulgraham.com/nerds.html