That fact that people are mired in a constant struggle of dominance and submission has very little to do with my own opinion of how things should be, it simply

That fact that people are mired in a constant struggle of dominance and submission has very little to do with my own opinion of how things should be, it simply reflects my observations of human social interaction. Honestly if you see all human relations through the filter of pecking order, little of it seems mysterious or complex. War, inequality, charity, abuse, politeness, castes, genocide - they are all just displays of dominance and submission. Hypocrisy is not required for something to be zero-sum, but it is a common symptom. I said it was evidence, not proof. Zero-sum games always require a winner and loser and therefore a double standard - what is good for one is not good for the other. It's a stretch, I know. It's probably too weak to make a good case for. I don't think my argument is a straw man - I do believe that there is inherent inequality (and therefore hierarchical jockeying) when one moves from the treatment like oneself in the golden rule to the "special treatment" of the platinum rule. Again, I can't think of a way to make a strong case for it at this time. I vehemently disagree with your claim that it is simple to stop this policy if it is clear a person is abusing it. Because the test depends on the desires of another person, and that cannot be measured, it is not easy to know if they are being sincere or manipulative. Only after a many experiences could one make that assessment and by then you have lost so much or worse, married them.