
The Light Triad | Frankly 85
About this episode
(Recorded February 12th, 2025)
Deception and self-interest seem to be increasingly prevalent in our modern cultural reality. From the highest levels of power to the cultural metrics of what is considered 'success' for individual humans: the Dark Triad traits of Narcissism, Sociopathy, and Machiavellianism have become disturbingly normalized. But is there an antidote? Could an opposing "Light Triad" of traits - if nurtured and protected - offer a path toward a society in service of life rather than power?
In this Frankly, Nate explores the concept of Light Triad personalities and their struggle against the Dark Triad forces shaping our social, economic, and ecological landscape. He examines how social media amplifies manipulation, why individual goodness is often outmatched by structural incentives, and whether strong, cooperative groups might hold the key to shifting the balance. Importantly, he questions whether the Light Triad can ever truly compete - or if it must evolve new strategies to stand a chance in service of life.
How many people does it take to shield a Light Triad individual from Dark Triad manipulation? Will these competing traits become more or less dominant as we move into the downslope of the Carbon Pulse? And can someone with a Dark Triad personality ever truly change, or are they hardwired for self-interest?
Watch this video episode on YouTube
---
Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie.
---
Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future
Get every episode summarized
Each time The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

Wisdom in a World in Crisis: The Counterintuitive Need to Slow Down and Find Spa...
The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

How to Think About the Future (Part 1): Changing the Future Starts with How You...
The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

The Fantasy of Space Colonization: The Spaceship We're Already On with Tom Murph...
The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

Oil 301: The World After Cheap Energy | Frankly 137
The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens