In life, it pays to forgive

Summary

• If people are using a strategy known as tit for tat, they may get locked into a cycle of destruction. However, if one forgives and does a positive action, then tit for tat will result in a cycle of positive actions

Details

• Life is iterative and compounding. thus it pays to be positive and go first.

References

• The Great Mental Models Volume 2 - Physics, Chemistry and Biology

Quotes

However, straightforward tit for tat is not as effective as the strategy known as tit for tat with forgiveness. This strategy involves occasionally cooperating in the face of defection. It is easy for two opponents to get stuck in a cycle of mutual defection from which they cannot escape unless and until one decides to cooperate. If both are using tit for tat, a cycle of mutual cooperation will then commence.

Life is an iterative and compounding game. In the words of Peter Kaufman, it pays to “go positive and go first.” Also, remember that people make mistakes. Assuming there is no maliciousness, it pays to forgive.

Related

• Positive view of others
• Positive feedback works better than criticism
• You cannot remove bad habits. You can only change the habit to something positive