THE INCENTIVE STATE

Why Democracies Decay When Institutions Stop Seeking Truth and Start Seeking Survival

I have two West Highland Terriers that I adore. Recently, however, the female developed a rather obsessive habit of licking the male’s ear. Being human—and therefore prone to sentimental self-deception—I interpreted this behaviour with all the emotional sophistication available to our species. I imagined hidden emotional depths. Loyalty. Affection. Mate…