Non-Zero-Sum James

Two hunters can cooperate to catch a stag (a difficult but highly rewarding prize) or each can safely hunt a hare (a lower-value but guaranteed meal). | For links and images visit the page: https://nonzerosum.games/staghunt.html

We've considered how the Prisoner's Dilemma reveals a number of key concepts in game theory. Yet, I have some reservations that it is the field's best advocate for applying game theory in the real world. This episode will outline the problems with using the Prisoner's Dilemma as our go-to scenario. | For illustrations and links, check out the original post: https://nonzerosum.games/dilemmasdilemma.html

The Prisoner's Dilemma is the go-to example for game theory noobs and experts alike. It's a non-zero-sum game that introduces payoff matrices, it has a Nash Equilibrium that is not also Pareto Efficient (helping to distinguish between the two) and when taken further, we discover that strategies change with iterated games. It's got it all! Or does it? This post explains the Prisoner's Dilemma and details its benefits while the following series will question whether or not it's really the best advocate for game theory in the real world. | For the original post and links, visit: https://nonzerosum.games/prisonersdilemma.html

It is high time I confront a phrase that is a major obstacle to moral dialogue; the refrain... well, it's subjective.In this episode I make a case for the tractability of moral values. | The original post, with links can be visited here: https://nonzerosum.games/itssubjective.html| The post references consequentialist ethics, in particular Utilitarianism but doesn't fully flesh it out. I intend to post specifically about this in the future, but for now here's a bit about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill#Utilitarianism

A Pareto efficient scenario is one where no one involved can change strategies without negatively impacting at least one player. It's a lens through which we can re-examine societal norms, interactions, and even our daily choices. While not a silver bullet for the complexities of fairness or social justice, it serves as a useful starting point for dialogue and finding potential improvements.

Nash Equilibrium as one of the key features to get to grips with in the field of game theory, it crops up everywhere. So, here are some simple examples and real world applications that you already take part in. | Read more about the Toastmasters Payoff: https://nonzerosum.games/confidence.html | We mention other classic scenarios, which you can check out here: | The Prisoner's Dilemma: https://nonzerosum.games/prisonersdilemma.html| The Stag Hunt: https://nonzerosum.games/staghunt.html | Social Dilemmas: https://nonzerosum.games/socialdilemmas.html | The Ultimatum Game: https://nonzerosum.games/ultimatumgame.html | Arusha Perpetual Chicken: https://nonzerosum.games/chicken.html | Movie Night ~ Battle of the Sexes: https://nonzerosum.games/battleofthesexes.html

Non-Zero-Sum games are just one aspect of the wider field of Game Theory; a fascinating field of mathematics that deals with models of conflict and cooperation among rational decision-makers. In this episode we familiarise ourselves with some of the key elements of game theory so we're primed for understanding. | This episode is based on our game theory glossary: https://nonzerosum.games/gametheory.html| To read game theory related posts, visit: https://nonzerosum.games/map-gametheory.html

Game theorist Liv Boeree describes herself as pathologically competitive and indeed, her life has been about "winning" in many ways. Introducing our first Non-Zero Hero, part of a series people out on the front lines preaching the gospel of non-zero-sum games. Liv is responsible for introducing me to Moloch. | Liv Won The European Poker Tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64GWjR4vKGs&t=21s | Her brutal 'Golden Balls' performance is here: https://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6GhbT-zEfc | If you're not familiar with The Prisoner's Dilemma check out our post here: https://nonzerosum.games/prisonersdilemma.html | Visit Liv's charity 'Raising for Effective Giving' here: https://reg-charity.org/ | Check out here 'Win-Win' Podcast here: https://www.winwinpodcast.com/ | For more on Moloch check out our series: https://nonzerosum.games/map-moloch.html

Coordination Problems are situations in Game Theory where coordinated solutions are required to solve complex problems, like those we've explored with Moloch—where we end up complicit in our own downfall. And we'll be exploring this through a story about one of my many childhood mishaps.| To read the original post visit: https://nonzerosum.games/unlockingsolutions.html | This episode mentions Humanity's Alignment Problem, which isn't in podcast form yet, but is part of the series over at the blog: The Alignment Problem No One is Talking About: https://nonzerosum.games/alignment1.html| And here is the link to the Holzer and Neumark research: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/jel.38.3.483

I mentioned in Who is Moloch? that the Canaanites were acting rationally by offering the occasional child for sacrifice, but that's not entirely true. We can actually find an optimal strategy through using some Game Theory! | To read the whole series visit: https://nonzerosum.games/map-moloch.html