Klaus Jaffe
Infodynamics studies how energy and information interact and change over time. In social behaviour this interaction is especially visible: relationships involving asymmetric energy exchange, often take the form of parasitism or corruption. Corruption denotes behaviour that is unlawful, whereas social parasitism describes exploitative relationships that are socially damaging but legal. In contemporary societies a primary form of energy is money, and many instances of parasitic or corrupt behaviour revolve around its distribution and use. Social parasitic behaviour predate human society: primate studies document bribery-like exchanges for favours, status, food, shelter, transport, or priority in scarce resources, showing that moneyless systems are not immune to corruption. Corruption can cause incalculable harm to society as victims of earthquakes in Haiti, Tukey and Venezuela can attest. This essay reviews essential aspects of corruption and social parasitism among humans. Both phenomena are sustained when information is distorted and transparency is suppressed, preventing antagonistic or corrective forces from acting.
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Complexity Digest 