All people act exclusively out of self-interest

All people act exclusively out of self-interest.

And how you can use that to WIN!

The difference in behavior between groups and individuals is caused by divergent interests and time scales, or “what’s good for me/us now” vs. “what’s good for me/us over time.”.

Culture and religion are group strategies for pursuing common genetic interests over time scales that most individuals are unable to think in.

We can only cooperate with people who have their interests (culture and religion at the group level) in some way aligned with ours. Not all their interests need to be aligned, but at least some of them do so that we can find areas for cooperation. This enables us to create mutual benefit, a win-win situation.

To the extent that another person or group has interests at odds with ours, it will lead to conflict (war). This is inevitable unless we convince them to change their interests by incentivizing them (positively or negatively). When we change the incentives they face, we change their behavior.

Manipulation and lies are designed to trick a person into feeling that the incentives have changed, thus changing their behavior. It’s a bluff. You can just say “no” and act on the real incentives that you have. But you need to know how to calculate the real incentives you face.

Being aware of these facts about human nature and our own interests (personal and group) helps us to develop greater agency and resistance to manipulation. When we take control of the incentives that we operate under, we also take control of our actions and our lives.

This knowledge also helps us on the interpersonal level to foster cooperation within our families, churches, businesses, and communities. Everywhere and always, when cooperation is lacking, it’s because someone perceives a mismatch in interests and is pursuing a conflicting strategy. So change their interests with incentives.

If you are stuck, unable to build the cooperation that you want to see, I will help you. Book an appointment with me using the link on my profile.

Together, we’ll:

• Learn to pinpoint what interests are at play for you and others.
• Map out these interests to spot where conflicts arise.
• Explore all your options for adjusting incentives.
• Master persuasion tactics to align interests in your favor.
• Build enduring cooperation that everyone involved appreciates.