Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"There is plentiful evidence that we are, as a species, prone to empathy and kindness. That isn't to say that we're always mindful of the ways our actions harm others, but for most of us, acts of overt cruelty require a special effort, at least at first. Greed and hatred have to be nurtured and trained.

"Even in war, violence doesn't come naturally. The majority of US riflemen in WWII did not fire their weapons, refusing to shoot at the enemy. Many fired over the enemy's head, unwilling to become a killer. [...]

"Likewise for greed. Stockbrokers are meant to be true believers in the idea that 'greed is good,' adherents to a mystical belief that the net outcome of universal selfishness is universal prosperity. But as Yochai Benkler points out, if you go to a Wall Street playground, you'll find greed-is-good stockbrokers chastising their toddlers: 'Timmy! Share!'"

-- Cory Doctorow (doctorow), "How lawyers became sadists", 2022-10-15