Almost universally, any time there's a power vacuum (whether in the first larger-than-tribes societies, or in societies where state power has become weak), the first authority figures that fill the power vacuum are dicks

- Main authority on bcachefs

wielding real power, in ways that feel quite uncomfortable.

Yes, it's called feeling guilty about others calling out your attitude. Most people who aren't power seeking assholes experience that feeling regularly and have learned to deal with it.

Couples therapists say they can tell within a few minutes if a couple is worth working with or not: if it's anger they're displaying, then that's something that can be worked through. If it's dismissiveness, all hope is lost.

Imagine getting told by a couples therapist that they can't see your relationship working out... And then you go on a big rant saying how you should still be together?