Its what kept the US & the USSR from pushing the button (and destroying each other) during the long cold war.
Its what has kept North and South Korea from firing on each other.
Although there were (arguably) a good and bad side, sanity kept them from bringing themselves down with their foes.
The same would probably be the case for a hostile communist China with its ever growing world muscle if it ever looms in the future.
I do not think it would be the same case for the Islamic extremists in control of Iran with nuclear capabilities once they start enrichment. (This is not necessary speaking of the average citizen who so many of oppose the regime in control). I am not convinced those extremists are sane, which is why the world doesn’t want them to be another nuclear nation.
ABC aired a Game Theory special on Prime Time last night. They did 2 experiments:
Experiment 1.)
They took 6 overweight middle-age people who had difficulty over the years dieting, eating right, & exercising to effectively lose weight and ultimately had given up on more one than once occasion. The risks of diabetes, heart disease, short life span, and general health concerns, etc. were not strong enough to motivate them because these were not seen at imminent threats.
What they did was they gave each of them bright colored skinny bathing suits to wear, and took their picture in them. The six people signed a commitment card that if they did not lose at least 15 lbs. in 8 weeks, their pictures would be shown on national television after the 8 weeks. If they did at least 15 lbs, they would be given their pictures back. About two weeks into experiment, ABC emailed 1 picture to each participant as a little reminder.
Prime Time also followed them from time to time showing how their habits had changed. Each of these people were suddenly motivated to eat much healthier food and in smaller portions and were regularly & rigorously exercising. The professor who came up the experiment idea was estimating that 6 out of 6 would lose the 15 lbs.
After the 8 weeks, each participant weighed in and 5 out of 6 had lost more than 15 lbs and some well in excess of 15 lbs. The 1 who did not lost 13 lbs, but was probably due that her exercise program cause her to gain muscle weight as she lowered her dress size by 3 sizes and was well pleased with results as they all realized they could do. ABC did not air the picture of the one which lost less than 15 lbs., but was really interested in the experiment.
Experiment 2.)
ABC took 6 pairs of people and dropped them off at random places in New York City. They were told they had to find another pair of people who would likewise be looking for them. This was a seemingly very difficult task, like finding a needle in a haystack in a city of full of millions. These people were not told any details of the other team they were looking for such as sex, age, race, height, or names etc., only that they would be looking for them too and they had 1 whole day to find each other.
The idea was they would have to put themselves in the other team’s shoes and think where would they being going to look for them. Each team on their own brainstormed of the many major landmarks such as central park, ground zero, the statue of liberty etc. The teams on their own also decided there needed a special & unique time to meet, and likewise came up with the time to be there was 12 noon, which stood out from any other time such as say, 1:13pm.
One team started at the Grand Central Terminal, but 3 of the teams ended up converging on the Empire State Building. The other 3 teams ended up converging on Times Square. and were soon within a few blocks the other, but each still had the task to find the other team.
The 1st group of 2 women went in a store at the Empire St. Bldg. and bought supplies to make well legible signs which they put on their fronts and backs and went to the top. While they were in the store, a group of 2 men strolled in the lobby only several meters away from the 1st team. The men decided it was too early before 12 noon and went back on the street to find a bench and conversed until it was closer to noon. A second team of women arrived at the building and went in the same store and likewise decided they needed to buy supplies to make signs. They went up to the top and soon found the other team of women with their signs. It was not long until the team of 2 men went up and were drawn to the 4 women who stood out conversing with their signs. 3 teams had found each other in less than 3 hours at the top of the Empire State Building.
At Times square the other 3 teams were circling around less than 3 blocks of the each other with no signs yet of the teams they were seeking. One team of men had printed fliers and were taping on windows. Another team of men came walking up on a team of 2 women who looked like they were looking for someone. This team of women also had made signs, though not as bright and clear as the signs which were made by the other teams at the Empire State Building. It wasn’t long before the commotion made by these teams conversing drew the attention of the other team that was walking around searching. All six teams had found their unknown teams they were looking for in less than 4 hours, in a city full of millions!
So what exactly is Game Theory and What makes Game Theory Work?
