Game Theory

Game theory! This really is an ideal way to introduce some mathematical, logical thinking in a way which IMO would be a definite asset to us. How do 'non-zero sum games' like the prisoners' dilemma relate to the online give and take?

So at least in this model a moderate, cooperative approach doesn't depend on satisfying an arbitrary standard of etiquette or anyone's personal taste -- the outcome is based only on the participants struggling to find out what works out best for them individually. No imposed rules or regulations other than "what's ultimately going to work out best for you?"

Note that government also enforces the noncooperative choices in the prisoner's dillemma. Businesses long ago noticed the advantages of the cooperative choice. Rather than pursue individual interests, they joined together to set prices and divide markets so that each got a reasonable piece of the pie. Everyone was happy except the consumer who had to live with high prices, bad service, and lack of choice. Government stepped in with antitrust laws.

When one declares the interests of victims and neighbors to be irrelevant to the problem in the prisoner's dilemma, one comes close to making deception a virtue. When a list, through its listowner or by other methods, declares a point of view uninteresting or "not our thing," it is withdrawing rather than confronting and risks a result in which everyone suffers. Although the cooperative alternative often exudes moral attractiveness it can be used to achieve some very unintelligent and unattractive results. In the prisoner's dilemma it is illogical, untruthful, and ultimately immoral. When veiwed in the full context of society, the prisoner's dilemma may be no dilemma at all, but simply the demonstration of a small minded strategy for avoiding social responsibility.

In the social and political arena many of these narrowly focused and very cooperative groups, groups which maintain the level of cooperation by factoring any disturbing member out of the game, are made up of well educated socially liberal people. They are tolerant and respectful of opposing views, but simply choose to spend time with others who share their outlook. They are relativists at their worst, claiming that all points of view are more or less equally valid, and thereby avoiding the stress of looking carefully at those who act or believe differently. This insidious and divisive twist on the virtue of "tolerance" becomes a form of elitism that inhabits the dark side of American liberalism. (BTW I am a liberal) The cooperative choice comes to resemble the price fixer more than the altruist.