Matt_Simpson comments on Fight Zero-Sum Bias - Less Wrong

25 Post author: multifoliaterose 18 July 2010 05:57AM

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Comment author: Matt_Simpson 18 July 2010 08:39:33PM 1 point [-]

I think we might be using different definitions of status. So instead of status, I'll say that social power is zero-sum.

Comment author: Jonathan_Graehl 19 July 2010 03:23:55AM 1 point [-]

Many people may share social power, especially if they don't choose to wield it often or to the detriment of others. I suppose you'd say that you count them as having it in exact proportion to their tendency to actually use it, or in terms of the power they'd likely have if they chose to war against one another.

Comment author: Matt_Simpson 19 July 2010 08:16:00AM 0 points [-]

No, the point is if someone gains social power, someone else must lose that power. Sharing of power is fine in this framework - if you share power over the tribe, for example, then you don't have full power over the tribe. For one, you don't have the same kind of power over the individuals with whom you are sharing power.

Comment author: cousin_it 26 July 2010 10:33:36AM *  1 point [-]

You can gain social power that was previously held by natural randomness.