Moloch

Moloch is a term used metaphorically to describe a destructive, collective force or system—often an institution or societal pattern—that leads to self-defeating outcomes. The concept originates from ancient mythology, where Moloch was a god associated with child sacrifice, symbolizing a harmful demand for collective loss. In modern usage, it refers to situations where individual or group incentives drive people to make decisions that are actually damaging to society or their long-term interests, such as escalating arms races, environmental degradation, or inefficient resource consumption. Essentially, Moloch exemplifies how collective interests can be sacrificed to short-term gains, often leading to negative consequences for all involved.