Game Theory

Science EN ↓ 120 episodes

Speakeasy conversation about strategy, competition, economics, history, and policy from two non-experts. The episodes include some actual economic Game Theory such as the Prisoner's Dilemma, the Traveler's Dilemma, and the Public Good game. Episodes also include conversations on dilemmas in TV/Movies, sports, and board/card games, as well as the history of military, intelligence (spies), politics, and economics. The objective is simply to think critically about how people make strategic choices regarding the world around them and most importantly, about the people around them.

Author

Game Theory

Episodes

96. Rank Choice Voting; American Primary Elections; College Football Playoff Conundrum 06.12.2023 1:01:00

In this episode, the boys discuss rank choice voting, an alternative to the normal elections in the US.

95. Marchetti's Constant: Why All Commute Times Are the Same; the Rise of 15 Minute Cities 29.11.2023 58:56

In this episode, the boys discuss Marchetti's Constant and why it always takes about an hour (round-trip) to get to work.

94. Weber-Fechner Law: Why You Suddenly Notice Change and How We Observe Our World 15.11.2023 54:54

In this episode the boys talk about the Weber Fechner Law and how our brains are logarithmic.. Googliography: Weber-Fechner Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weber%E2%80%93Fechner_law Best Subreddit Ever? https://www.reddit.com/r/IsItBullshit/comments/x09sx8/isitbullshit_humans_can_smell_water_better_than/

93. Keith Lee's ATL Drama; Dave Portnoy's Pizza Scores; the Art of Criticism & the Power of Reviews 07.11.2023 1:02:40

In this episode, the boys talk about the recent drama between TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee and various restaurants in Atlanta including The Real Milk and Honey and The Atlanta Breakfast Club. ____________________________ Watch the show on YouTube: ___________________________ Googliography: Real Milk and Honey Apology: https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2023/10/31/atlanta-restaurant-keith-lee-ti...

92. Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning - Eating Lambs and Popping Quizzes 25.10.2023 59:27

In this episode the boys break down the differences between inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning and why it matters.

91. Diderot Effect - How Buying Something Nice Can Make You Hate Your Stuff 18.10.2023 58:27

In this episode, the boys get into something called the Diderot Effect. Googliography: TBD

90. Delta's Meltdown & Starbucks Stars: How Company's Turned Loyalty Into a Bank 11.10.2023 1:01:25

In this episode, the boys talk about the Delta Sky Miles mess and how Starbucks Stars have evolved to a $2 billion source of revenue.

89. Social Contagion: TikTok Tourrette's; Salem Witch Trials; & The Great June Bug Hysteria 03.10.2023 1:05:32

In this episode, the guys break down how ideas can spread out of control. Googliography: Social contagion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_contagion Nudge Theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nudge_theory 'TikTok Tics: A Pandemic Within a Pandemic': https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mdc3.13316

88. The Pink Tax - Oil Changes, Calculators, & Laxatives: Why Business Charge More for Products Marketed to Women 26.09.2023 53:43

In this episode, the boys look into all aspects of the pink tax -- what it means, how it happened, and what we can do about it.

87. Benford's Law: How is This a Real Thing; Using Naturally Occurring Numbers to Fight Fraud 20.09.2023 51:04

In this episode, the guys break down Benford's Law -- what it is, what it means, and what we can learn from the world around us. Check out the scientific american story here: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-benfords-law-why-this-unexpected-pattern-of-numbers-is-everywhere/

86. The Bad-Vibes Economy: Why Do We Feel This Way? 12.09.2023 59:46

In this episode, the boys talk about the so-called Vibe-session and what it means for our biases in the American economy.

85. The Great Ice Cream Lie, Learning Styles Are Fake, & How Conventional Wisdom Can Hurt You 05.09.2023 48:29

In this episode, the boys talk about how scientists may have known for years now that ice cream may be good for you. _____________________________________________ Googliography:

84. Tipping Wars: The Dictator Game, Supply & Demand, and That Awkward Moment at the Register 29.08.2023 1:01:01

In this episode, the boys talk about the great American tipping wars _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Website: https://www.gametheorypod.com Game Theory on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gametheorypod Game Theory on Twitter: @GameTheoryPod https://twitter.com/GameTheory...

83. Random Walks & Markov Chains: How To Lose All of Your Money Gambling & Predict the Future 15.08.2023 54:03

In this episode, the boys talk about a mathematical hypothesis and its tentacles that help describe probability with practical implications for drivers, gamblers, and anyone with money invested. _____________________________________________ Googliography : Markov Chain:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markov_chain Random Walk: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_walk Martingale Strategy: https://en....

82. Data Torture: Harvard Dishonesty Scandal; Purdue Pharma Chart; Men Lying About Height 08.08.2023 1:04:10

In this episode, the boys examine how data is manipulated and tortured to show different results. And how you can tell _____________________________________________ JOIN OUR SUMMER READING BOOK CLUB - https://bit.ly/3X3E3m0 T _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Website: https:...

81. Assassin's Mace: How an Ancient Saying Explains China's Current Military Strategy 01.08.2023 53:50

In this episode, the boys look into an ancient Chinese saying and how it can explain what the world power is doing now. And, how to level the playing field against a bigger or stronger opponent. _____________________________________________ JOIN OUR SUMMER READING BOOK CLUB - https://bit.ly/3X3E3m0 T _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.co...

80. Taylor's Version: Her Battle With Scooter, Eras Tour, History 25.07.2023 56:38

In this episode, the boys get Swifty _____________________________________________ JOIN OUR SUMMER READING BOOK CLUB - https://bit.ly/3X3E3m0 T _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Website: https://www.gametheorypod.com Game Theory on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gametheo...

79. How a Terrible BBQ List Teaches Us About Content Analysis - Feat. Cally Alessi 11.07.2023 56:15

In this episode, Chris' partner Cally Alessi joins to talk about content analysis and why Trip Advisor/Chef's Table got it so wrong. NOTE: Trip advisor denounced the list and claims to have had nothing to do with it . _____________________________________________ JOIN OUR SUMMER READING BOOK CLUB - https://bit.ly/3X3E3m0 T he Book We're Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swerve...

THROWBACK - The Good Assassination: McKinley & Roosevelt and How JP Morgan, Carnegie, and Rockefeller Screwed Up 04.07.2023 47:16

Throwback episode from the first year of the show in 2021! In this episode, we discuss the assassination of President William McKinley and the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Resources: The Men Who Built America Review: (https://n.pr/3dVcRja) Robert Todd Lincoln Curse: (https://bit.ly/3sihdG2)

78. Wagner Group Revolution, Putin's Power, & Social Media's Roll in Revolt 27.06.2023 54:45

In this episode, Nick and Chris rehash the Wagner revolt and what it means. _____________________________________________ JOIN OUR SUMMER READING BOOK CLUB - https://bit.ly/3X3E3m0 T he Book We're Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swerve Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Swerve-How-World-Became-Modern/dp/0393343405 Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/swerve-stephen-gr...

College Admissions Scandal - Fraudster Files IIII William Rick Singer 20.06.2023 1:11:26

In this episode, Nick & Chris break down and review the fourth Fraudster in their Fraudster Files - William Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the college admissions scandal. _____________________________________________ JOIN OUR SUMMER READING BOOK CLUB - https://bit.ly/3X3E3m0 The Book We're Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swerve Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Swerve-How-World-Became...

Is America Nearing the End? - The Great Divide and the Life Cycle of Empires 13.06.2023 1:00:33

In this episode, Nick & Chris look into a bevy of semi-recent writing that suggests America is in trouble as the world power. _____________________________________________ JOIN OUR SUMMER READING BOOK CLUB - https://bit.ly/3X3E3m0 The Book We're Reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swerve Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Swerve-How-World-Became-Modern/dp/0393343405 Barnes & Noble...

Bottlenecks: Bridal Parties, Chinese Bureaucracy, and Going Around Your Boss 08.06.2023 1:02:19

In this episode, bottlenecks and constraints and how so much work gets stuck behind one little thing. Also, Chris' Favorite T-Swift Song _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Website...

Debt Ceiling Brinksmanship; Implications, Strategy; Fallout From the Debt Ceiling Policy 30.05.2023 57:33

In this episode, debt ceiling brinksmanship _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Website: https://www.gametheorypod.com Game Theory on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gametheorypod G...

Fake Job Postings (Ghost Jobs); Job Opening Scammers; Careers vs Jobs; & The Godfather 23.05.2023 59:18

In this episode, Nick and Chris break down the current job market. They get into jobs vs careers and ghost jobs (34:00). _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Website: https://www.gameth...