Myth of Moloch

The Myth of Moloch originates from ancient texts depicting a deity to whom children were sacrificed, symbolizing destructive conflicts where groups commit harmful acts driven by collective pressures, even when individual members would prefer otherwise. In modern contexts, it’s used metaphorically to describe situations where competing interests or systems lead to self-destruction, such as arms races or environmental degradation—each party's pursuit of short-term gains results in collective harm. Essentially, it highlights how seemingly rational decisions by individuals or groups can culminate in destructive outcomes that no single participant truly desires, but are driven by systemic incentives.