No. 104 · People · Military and War
Trojan Horse
The most dangerous threats often arrive looking like gifts.
In the Almanac
“The peat barge at Breda”, 1590 · “SolarWinds”, 2020
Both stories in full, three ways to use it and where it misleads.
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Questions
What is Trojan Horse?
A Trojan Horse is a deceptive strategy that disguises something harmful as harmless or welcome, so the target lets it through their own defences. It doesn't break the walls; it persuades defenders to open the gates.
How do you use Trojan Horse?
Use it to spot hidden risks: ask what free offers give the giver, verify urgent payment requests through a number you know, and look inside before you trust. You can also flip it, wrapping good habits inside things you enjoy.
When does Trojan Horse matter?
Trojan Horse is one of the 60 mental models for people, the situations where you ask: Why do people act as they do, and how do I work with them? Within that, it belongs to “Negotiating and conflict”, alongside Appeasement, Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement and Call Your Bluff.
What is an example of Trojan Horse?
Two stories show it at work: The peat barge at Breda (1590) and SolarWinds (2020). Both are told in full in The Mental Models Daily Almanac, which has two stories for each of its 365 models.
Which mental models are related to Trojan Horse?
Bait and Switch, Potemkin Village and Reciprocity. Trojan Horse itself comes from military and war.