Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M1450

Be Slightly Evil

Be Slightly Evil
SystemsHigh supportSystems Theory
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

If you are completely law-abiding (Lawful Good), you become an NPC in the system, expendable at will. To gain agency, you must learn to be 'slightly evil': moderately breaking inconsequential rules and strategically withholding information to establish your own boundaries of power.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Survival hacking. Don't be an impeccable 'good employee'. If you never cause your boss a little trouble, he will take you for granted as a resource.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

If you are completely law-abiding (Lawful Good), you become an expendable NPC in the system; to gain agency, you must learn to be 'slightly evil'—moderately breaking inconsequential rules to carve out space without harming others.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    ribbonfarm.comhttps://www.ribbonfarm.com/be-slightly-evil/ZH · Explicit
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