Trust is a technology, the transition to a high-trust society unlocks so much potential that was previously used on "basic" tasks like guarding your property, making sure your food is fit to eat, not getting scammed in a trade etc.
Bruce Schneier has written a book about trust https://www.schneier.com/books/liars-and-outliers/ ; I don't want to oversell it, I didn't find it amazing, but it has some very relevant discussion on how trust has evolved into our society and institutions. Ultimately a society where people can't trust each other and communicate efficiently will be outcompeted by a society where people can, either through individual altruism, societal norms or institutional enforcement.
Trust is a technology, the transition to a high-trust society unlocks so much potential that was previously used on "basic" tasks like guarding your property, making sure your food is fit to eat, not getting scammed in a trade etc.
Bruce Schneier has written a book about trust https://www.schneier.com/books/liars-and-outliers/ ; I don't want to oversell it, I didn't find it amazing, but it has some very relevant discussion on how trust has evolved into our society and institutions. Ultimately a society where people can't trust each other and communicate efficiently will be outcompeted by a society where people can, either through individual altruism, societal norms or institutional enforcement.