23 Mar 21
@vivify saidIt's curious isn't it that the inverse just doesn't work in the same way -
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend".
What if the enemy of your enemy is also an enemy?
Would this be...a "frenemy"?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frenemy
"The friend of my friend is my enemy" ???
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23 Mar 21
@orangutan saidIt could work on the basis of jealously.
It's curious isn't it that the inverse just doesn't work in the same way -
"The friend of my friend is my enemy" ???
One of my best friends growing up had a friend he met at Cubs. Boy, was I jealous of that kid, with his spikey hair and massive star wars collection. Looking back, he was my nemesis.
23 Mar 21
@vivify saidThe whole “enemy of my enemy” thing is a flawed premise to start with.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend".
What if the enemy of your enemy is also an enemy?
Would this be...a "frenemy"?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frenemy
23 Mar 21
@divegeester saidIt was the reason that the US and the UK initially supported Pol Pot.
The whole “enemy of my enemy” thing is a flawed premise to start with.
23 Mar 21
@vivify saidLets denote the players:
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend".
What if the enemy of your enemy is also an enemy?
Would this be...a "frenemy"?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frenemy
I: I
my first enemy: A
my second enemy: B
a potential third enemy: C
So in the situation that I and B have common but non interfering interests and A has competitive interests that intefere with the interest of I and A then of course there is a basis for B being my friend (even if other interests could diverge).
But if I, A and B have competitive interests in the same thing, then I could make an alliance with either, but of course after one competitor leaves I am at odds with the other. So for me it would be better to make an alliance with a competitor that is weaker than me. Since if I am the weaker one I will support one player and will get hit by him after we commonly defeated the first...
23 Mar 21
@divegeester saidIt was useful in WW2, because it was the USSR that absorbed the brunt of German military capacity (75% I believe) in the European theatre where the fighting thus ended in 1945... as opposed to 1946 or 1947 or whenever.
The whole “enemy of my enemy” thing is a flawed premise to start with.
@very-rusty saidWhat a keen insight!
keep your friends close and your enemies closer...
to keep a keen eye on enemies beyond what one might have on their friends. to be vigilant about the actions taken by enemies. it's not a good idea to bother your enemies, be friendly with them but stay alert.
-VR
Because I'm sure no one already knew what this meant.
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26 Mar 21
Unfortunately, Machiavellian quips have grown into near-cliche's.
"The Prince" was of keen service during Niccolo's time. Surely, living among the Medici's was no picnic.
But to me, cynical 500 year old political maxims no longer apply: There are far darker themes afoot.