Hypothesis: The Roman Empire did not fail because its leaders were too stupid and irrational, but because they were too smart and rational, and short game incentives outperformed long games. Catholicism solved that by limiting rationality and turning society into a cult.
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Replying to @Homo_Narcissus
For the cult leadership, there are attractive social benefits (food, housing, status, healthcare, sex etc.). For the cult followers, it is individually very attractive to not be burnt at the stake, and in the longer term, to maintain community and civilization.
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Replying to @Plinz @Homo_Narcissus
Cults are pervasive. Once a cult is established, the cult leaders cannot afford to admit that the cult was a scam, because the followers will come after them. (That may also be part of the problem of North Korea's leaders.)
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Replying to @Homo_Narcissus
Societies are not built by the peasants any more than farms are built by the cattle
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