When creating characters in a story, it helps to distinguish between motives and drives.

Motives are conscious--the reasons characters give for their actions, whether to others or to themselves. Drives are unconscious--the reasons we’re not aware of and can’t articulate. Of the two, drives are far more consequential in understanding behavior.

Keep this rubric in mind anytime a politician explains a policy, especially a policy arguing for more war. Mostly they’re lying, whether to you or to themselves, but regardless what they’re talking about are motives. What’s dramatically under appreciated are the drives.

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