GD POLITICS Steven Pinker On The Coordination Game Of Politics
Oct 16, 2025
In this discussion, Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker delves into the concept of common knowledge and its profound effects on human behavior and political landscapes. He explains how people change their voting decisions based on what they believe others will do. Pinker also explores how Super Bowl ads and public negotiations create widespread awareness, influencing societal dynamics. Moreover, he touches on how social media can amplify misconceptions and enforce social norms, revealing the intricate dance between knowledge and behavior.
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Common Knowledge Is Recursive
- Common knowledge means everyone knows that everyone knows, ad infinitum, not just 'everyone knows'.
- This recursive state is what makes coordination possible between multiple people.
Public Signals Create Coordination
- Coordination requires common knowledge so people can make complementary choices that only work if both do them.
- Public, simultaneous signals (salient events or broadcasts) can instantly create common knowledge.
Use Real-Time Signals For Certainty
- Prefer real-time, mutual communication when you need reliable common knowledge.
- Avoid asynchronous signals (texts) when confirmation of receipt is critical.
