Rock, paper, scissors

The” Hidden Logical trap” was the title of the first chapter of the book. It talks about making selfish decisions to make oneself in a better state when in fact pushing it to a trap. A trap that is present in each and everyone’s experiences. This logical trap was discovered by John Nash a game theorist.  As stated in this book, Cooperation will lead to best overall outcome but individuals can be tempted on the self interest logic and if both sides cheat on this cooperation, this would lead to tragic ending wherein both parties lost. The author best illustrate this with Frank and Bernard, two thieves was caught by the police and was charged of only two years of imprisonment as the prosecutor collected enough evidence. So long as they both plead not guilty, they would only get two years but in this situation, both end up of 4 years imprisonment due to self interest. The author showed many examples of the trap or Prisoner’s dilemma, evidences that this is always with us.

            One of the solutions that made by Fisher to exploit self interest and create cooperation is a game called “I cut you choose” this was illustrated by dividing a cake into two portions one person then chooses which portion to take for himself. This type of procedure as the book says is the most equitable way in principle to distribute any finite resource to avoid envy from both parties. This is because the cutter has the power to divide the cake as equitably as possible while the one who choose cannot complain because he has also the power to choose what he wants.

This book simply studies Game theory in which it covers how people maximize to be better in competitive situations wherein self-interest controls the people’s decisions. I learned in this book that what is best for oneself isn’t the best for everyone else and this difference can weaken one’s self interest. Thus, with the help of the game theory made by this book and the nature of human’s cooperation will be able to help us escape from the traps of selfishness even in the most difficult situations we are in to.