The Double-Edged Sword of Competition – Insights from Liv Boeree

Who Is Moloch – and Why Is He Still Winning?

In ancient mythology, Moloch was a god who demanded terrible sacrifices — often children — in exchange for favour. Today, Moloch is used as a metaphor for self-destructive systems, where rational individual actions lead to irrational, harmful outcomes for the group.

Think of it like this:
If one farmer uses antibiotics to protect their crops, it makes sense. But if everyone does it, we get antibiotic resistance.
If one media outlet uses clickbait to survive, it works. But if everyone does it, trust in journalism collapses.
That’s Moloch — a system where nobody wants to play the game, but everyone feels they have to.

Competition can bring out the best in us. It drives innovation, improves quality, and pushes boundaries. As Liv Boeree – former professional poker player, science broadcaster, and keynote speaker – explains, when competition is done right, everyone wins.

Car companies compete to build safer vehicles. Solar panel manufacturers push to create more sustainable technologies. The result? Society as a whole benefits.

But, as Liv warns, competition can also go wrong – creating lose-lose outcomes that harm us all.

Competition between news outlets has escalated to the point where clickbait and polarisation dominate. Even trusted newspapers have resorted to sensationalism to grab attention.

As Liv says, “We no longer read our news, we interact with it.” Headlines are now designed to spark outrage, comments, and shares – engagement metrics matter more than truth.

The result? We live in a media landscape that’s harder to trust, where distinguishing fact from fiction is increasingly difficult.

Competition often incentivises quick wins at the expense of long-term wellbeing.

• Farmers overusing antibiotics to increase yields, contributing to antibiotic resistance.
• Fossil fuel companies prioritising profits over sustainability, damaging the planet.

In each case, individual actors fear that if they don’t compete aggressively, they’ll fall behind – even if the collective outcome is negative.

The AI industry is another prime example. Companies are racing to release new technologies, often without fully understanding or disclosing the risks. Liv believes AI could be the biggest paradigm shift since the agricultural and industrial revolutions.

“We need AI leaders who will speak honestly about the potential dangers,” she argues, urging the industry to think beyond short-term competition and consider long-term safety.

As Liv says, “Things will get crazier before they get better.” We need to recognise when competition drives positive innovation – and when it becomes harmful.

Collaboration, transparency, and long-term thinking are the only ways to overcome destructive competitive dynamics. Without them, industries risk spiralling into lose-lose scenarios – in media, AI, and beyond.

As a keynote speaker on competition, decision-making, and AI, Liv Boeree brings a unique perspective shaped by her poker career and scientific background. She challenges audiences to rethink competition and consider how our decisions shape the future.

Want to inspire your team with Liv’s thought-provoking insights?
Book Liv Boeree for a keynote on competition, AI, and the future of innovation.