Cheater detection explains the resentments that burn out. Somebody cheats and gets named, and the feeling has done its work. The ones that last thirty years seem to have a different structure. One side paid the cost and the other never knew there was a contract. The daughter who stayed, the brother who covered. Nobody asked them, so nobody owes them, and the detector keeps firing at a person who cannot be convicted. I do not know what the feeling is for in that case. It recruits no allies and deters nobody.
Thanks, David. Very grateful (Feel #36) for the kind words! Happy to take questions about resentment or other feels here in the comments.
This terrific excerpt makes me want to buy the book. I am so happy to see that Rob is still active. I was unhappy when he left academia.
Cheater detection explains the resentments that burn out. Somebody cheats and gets named, and the feeling has done its work. The ones that last thirty years seem to have a different structure. One side paid the cost and the other never knew there was a contract. The daughter who stayed, the brother who covered. Nobody asked them, so nobody owes them, and the detector keeps firing at a person who cannot be convicted. I do not know what the feeling is for in that case. It recruits no allies and deters nobody.
Good stuff.