samir, a terminally deprecated methodMar 7

There’s this passage in Systemantics which talks about “dual bureaucracy” in ancient Egyptian organisations (presumably public office).

It sounds like an excellent idea, but I cannot find any sources.

Does anyone know if it is true, and of any research or articles which explain it in more detail?

Show threadChris Pitts

@samir Sounds like a variant of the ancient Persian technique to make important decisions. They were discussed twice, first drunk, then sober the following day. If the decisions matched it was the right one. 🍻 (documented by Herodotus of Halicarnassus around 430 BC, apparently)

https://greekreporter.com/2025/12/29/persians-decided-twice-drunk-sober/

Ancient Persians Debated Major Decisions Twice, Once Drunk and Once Sober - GreekReporter.com

The Persians decided on important matters by debating major issues twice, once while sober and again while drunk.

GreekReporter.com
Mar 7 at 9:48amWeb
Show threadChris PittsMar 7
@samir I think I have worked on architectures where they forgot the sober sanity check…
Show threadsamir, a terminally deprecated methodMar 7

@thirstybear This explains so much!

Also a great way of making sure your “genius” idea is actually solid, while encouraging the out-of-the-box ideas. I like it a lot.