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The Uses Of Terror

Steven Johnson · 9 Aug 2026

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Every claim below was made in this piece, quoted word for word and numbered in the order the piece makes them, so you can read it there rather than take our word for it. The sentence above each quote is our reading of the claim, not their wording. Each quote was checked against a stored copy of the page at build time; where the two differ, the quote is the fact.

  1. Our reading

    A true pirate is defined by rejecting the authority of nations and empires altogether, not merely by breaking their laws.

    Their wordsTo be a true pirate implies a broader disavowal. The pirate renounces the long-distance authorities of nations and empires.

  2. Our reading

    Some historical raiders destroyed conquered cities for destruction's own sake, not to seize land, treasure, or slaves.

    Their wordsThe Sea Peoples did not invade lands to claim them as their own, or extract treasure or slaves to bring back to their homeland. They seemingly torched the great capitals of the Bronze Age just to watch them burn.

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