The Abused Friend of My Enemy Is My Friend

When I play Sid Meier’s Civilization, as I have thousands of times, I have an eccentric strategy.

When other civilizations demand tribute – or just attack me with without provocation – I give them what they want.

I sue for peace.

And then, I propose an alliance.

The AI almost always accepts the offer – and the subsequent alliance is almost always fruitful.  It’s almost as if the programmers never imagined that anyone would try my self-abasing approach.  Sure, humans will grovel in the face of su...