View source for Disputation Arenas: Harnessing Conflict and Competitiveness for Society's Benefit/Four Marvels

[[Category:David Brin]] <!-- 0 or more  other categories can be added -->
[[Category:Disputation Arenas]]
{{Quote
| text = Consider four marvels of our age -- science, democracy, the justice system and fair markets. In each case the participants (scientists, litigants, politicians and capitalists) are driven by selfish goals. That won't change; not till we redefine human nature. But for years, rules have been fine-tuned in each of these fields of endeavor, to reduce cheating and let quality or truth win much of the time. By harnessing human competitiveness, instead of suppressing it, these "accountability arenas" nourished much of our unprecedented wealth and freedom.  The four arenas aren't always fair or efficient! A good theory, law or commercial product may flounder, or else face many trials before prevailing. But remember that organic systems needn't be efficient, only robust. Likewise, our core institutions have to keep functioning despite individual incompetence, or the most everlasting human temptation-- to cheat. In achieving this, the four old accountability arenas have done pretty well by us, so far.
| cite = [[David Brin]], {{Link | Disputation Arenas: Harnessing Conflict and Competitiveness for Society's Benefit}}
}}