Coordination Games to Competition Games
Life is filled with competition games. These are zero-sum games — a social arrangement in which two or more people strive toward a goal that can’t be attained by everyone.
We’re all exposed to it. If you win in a baseball game, someone generally has to lose. More money in your pocket generally means less in someone else’s.
Cooperation games (aka positive-sum games) are becoming increasingly rare. Ruthless maximization of returns penalizes all experimentation when the risk/return doesn’t line up. Politics is no exception — one candidate trashes another to their benefit. Keep this in mind as we approach the election.
With the U.S. election in 5 days, we’re looking forward to putting these zero-sum political games in the rear view.
Image of the Day:
Image: NBA players have ruthlessly optimized for risk/return on their shots. Say goodbye to the mid-range jumper.