I’ve seen real-life hostage negotiations on TV. Talking only works when you can convince the guy to drop the gun or let the hostages go – and after that happens, there’s usually a lot of bullets fired at the perp, or five cops tackle him and wrestle him to the ground.

Talking only serves to convince the opponent to put himself at a disadvantage – and it won’t succeed if he’s already paranoid and violent. Then you have to take a sniper rifle, hide in the nearest building, and wait until you can get a clear shot.

This probably sounds familiar to anyone who’s been following international politics.

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