In modern game theory and philosophy, we have a name for this force: .
At its core, Moloch is the "God of Negative-Sum Games". It thrives in competitive environments where participants are pressured to prioritize near-term gains or risk being left behind. Moloch
Originally a Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice, Moloch was famously reimagined by Scott Alexander in his seminal essay, "Meditations on Moloch" . Today, it serves as a powerful metaphor for —the "monster" that emerges when individuals act rationally in their own self-interest, only to create a collective outcome that is disastrous for everyone. What is the Moloch Trap? In modern game theory and philosophy, we have