Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1023IR // #c1023Synthesis

"India, representing the Third World bloc, proposed an initial fee for companies mining in the deep seabed of $60 million per site. The United States rejected the proposal, suggesting there be no initial fee… No one backed down; no one appeared weak — just reasonable."

— In our words · Source: Getting to Yes (Roger Fisher, William Ury & Bruce Patton)

[Use when]

Two sides are dug in on competing numbers and neither can yield without looking weak.

[Why it matters]

An outside MIT model of seabed-mining economics moved both dug-in sides, and each could say the model changed its mind, not the opponent. Bring in a neutral standard both sides can test proposals against.

More from Getting to Yes

#c1013"The Soviet Union finally agreed to three inspections. The United States insisted on no less than ten. And there the talks broke down —…Two sides are dug in on competing figures and nobody has defined what the figures mean. #c1014"Sadat flew to the capital of his enemies, a disputed capital which not even the United States, Israel's best friend, had recognized.…The negotiation is stuck because the other side's image of you makes agreement unthinkable. #c1015"Terms negotiated between a major city and its Hispanic community on municipal jobs were unacceptable to the mayor — until the agreement…The other side agrees with the deal but cannot be seen agreeing with you.