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Comment by bd | Hacker News Reader

This is almost a perfect example of "sick system" (or how to keep people in abusive work/personal relationships):

  Rule 1: Keep them too busy to think.
  Rule 2: Keep them tired.
  Rule 3: Keep them emotionally involved.
  Rule 4: Reward intermittently.

http://issendai.livejournal.com/572510.html

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Interestingly, if you add:

    Rule 5: Allow them to quit or pause at any time
    Rule 6: Allow them to set their own input costs (to "place their own bets")

you have the basic tenets of game design.

That's horrifying. I can't help but wonder if it's not carefully crafted to ring true to everyone in the manner of a horoscope.

Doesn't everyone have a tough job now and then? Doesn't everyone have rough relationships with friends or family when the counterparty is down? Who among us only associates with well-adjusted people and companies?

Wow, that's the kind of relationship when you finally get rid of, you feel like in heaven.

I prefer the "boring" healthy relationships.

Or a cult.

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