While that kind of split-the-difference compromise is often held in contempt by revolutionaries, there is a subtle genius to M.A.D.—mutually assured dissatisfaction. At its worst, this kind of strategic stalemate leads to stagnation and frustration. At its best, this sort of agonistic liberalism leads to the kinds of hard-won compromises that delight virtually no one, frustrate nearly everyone, and perversely expand the chance to keep playing the Infinite Game with more and more players, better than any other options we’ve found.
