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It's fascinating how countries can maintain normal relations in other areas while things like this, catching each others spies (Russia) etc is going on at the e
by wilfra 13y ago
It's fascinating how countries can maintain normal relations in other areas while things like this, catching each others spies (Russia) etc is going on at the exact same time. Similar to how it's very strange how Apple and Samsung can maintain their business relationship while suing each other all over the globe and bashing each other in the media.
I guess I would make a bad diplomat, US President or BigCorp CEO. When somebody craps on my face I lose the willingness to cooperate with them. I want nothing more to do with them.
- berntb 13y agoCompare this with that both Russia and China now support some of the world's worst dictators (e.g. Syria, closing rapidly on 100,000 dead) -- without any real outcry. This seems like details (except economically).
- Udo 13y agoThis kind of cooperation has immense short-term benefits, that's why countries and companies do it. Of course, over the long term, there is a hefty price and part of that price is that this behavior not only continues but gets amplified over time. This happens because the parties in question are allowed to get away with murder, sometimes literally, and there are no repercussions. Over time this can lead to a profound imbalance of power like in the US-vs-China relationship - but sometimes insane destructive acts on both sides can even out as observed in Apple-vs-Samsung.
- wahsd 13y agoHumans, is the answer. We are a very conniving, deceptive, self-delusional, self-destructive beast. I theorize that it is due to the nature of European mores dominating and setting the tone first, globally; but, essentially, it comes down to the psychopaths controlling the rational, reasonable, good, people because the system supports encourages, and even rewards devious behavior while sabotaging, discouraging, and even penalizing good traits and behaviors. As long as exploitation is so heavily rewarded and the real consequences are so remote and minuscule; it will not change. The way the reward, incentive, and penalty structure is set up currently; you have to be an unprincipled personality to operate in that space.
- laumars 13y agoI don't think you can really blame the Europeans because cultures isolated from and even predating Europe's conquest across the globe have demonstrated similar traits. If anything, this is more a symptom of survival of the fittest. An evolutionary trait that isn't really required in modern culture but sadly (and as you rightly pointed out) we still do reward those who are ruthless.