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

Why Video Games Create In-Game Purchases: Zelda, Freemium Games, and the Billion Dollar Skin Industry 16.05.2023 1:02:46

In this episode, Nick & Chris dive into the rise of in-game purchases with the release of the latest Zelda game. _____________________________________________ Send our high school to speech and debate nationals! Link: https://bit.ly/3olMkV4 _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the...

Writer's Guild of America on Strike; Skilled Labor vs Non-Skilled Labor; & What's Next in Hollywood? 09.05.2023 56:33

In this episode, Nick & Chris introduce the new John Henry Series all about the American worker. The first edition dives into the WGA strike. _____________________________________________ Send our high school to speech and debate nationals! Link: https://bit.ly/3olMkV4 _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _________________________________________...

"Just One More" Paradox - Why You Shouldn't Take the Bet Also, Pittsburgh Potties, Guns, Germs & Steel, and Nick Eats Balls 02.05.2023 59:30

In this episode, Nick and Chris explain how you can lose all of your money asking for "just one more" _____________________________________________ Send our high school to speech and debate nationals! Link: https://bit.ly/3olMkV4 _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show...

The Centipede Game: How Co-opetition and Cooperation Clash & How It Cured a Plague 25.04.2023 55:16

In this episode, Nick and Chris breakdown the basic game theory concept called the centipede game. _____________________________________________ 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...

Optimal Poker: How to Play, Basic Strategies & the Debates Going on in Texas Hold 'em 18.04.2023 59:29

In this episode, Nick and Chris take all of your money at the poker table. _____________________________________________ Send our high school to nationals! Link: https://bit.ly/3olMkV4 _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w...

How the Government Guilts You Into Paying Taxes: The Inspector Game 11.04.2023 55:54

In this episode, Nick and Chris play the investigator game. Taxes have long been a Game Theory conundrum with finding the best way to enforce collection policies. _____________________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_r...

TikTok Brinksmanship: Banning the App, Learning China, and Understanding Big Tech Lobbying 04.04.2023 55:05

In this episode, Nick and Chris breakdown the game being played to ban TikTok Watch the episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/0HD2tdih7GY _____________________________________________ 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: htt...

Moore's Law: How Physical Space is Ending Computer Advancement; Love is Blind Recap 28.03.2023 56:59

In this episode, Nick and Chris look at Moore's Law and the growth of tech computing power. Time Stamps: Love is Blind: 3:15 Moore's Law: 9:22 _________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Webs...

Perverse Incentives, Unintended Consequences, and How You Make Policy: The Cobra Effect, Horseshoe Theory, & Barbera Streisand 21.03.2023 52:12

In this episode, Nick and Chris look into the game theory of perverse incentives including the cobra effect. They meander into adjacent topics such as unintended consequences and the horseshoe theory of politics. _________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/...

Silicon Valley Bank Collapse: Bank Runs, Diamond-Dybvig, and Getting Your Money Out Early 14.03.2023 1:00:02

In this episode, Nick and Chris discuss why bank runs suck so badly and why the FDIC changes the game theory of running to the bank.  _________________________________  Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ  _____________________________________________  Connect with the show:  Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/&n...

Ukraine, Putin & the US: The Prisoner's Dilemma of War 08.03.2023 49:05

In this episode, Nick and Chris discuss the Security Dilemma -- the Prisoner's Dilemma of Geo Politics Read the tweet threat: https://twitter.com/ProfPaulPoast/status/1631996120497881091?s=20 _________________________________ Buy Justin's Book!! https://bit.ly/3KaMdnZ _____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d...

How the Government Lies to Us: History, Uses, & Future of the Glomar Response 28.02.2023 57:04

In this episode, Nick and Chris look into the history, uses, ethics, and future of the Glomar Response. _________________________________ 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 Faceb...

Four-Day Work Week: Why It Works and Why It Doesn't 21.02.2023 56:18

In this episode, Nick and Chris discuss the idea of a 4-day work week and those companies giving it a shot.  _________________________________ 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...

Half-Life of Knowledge: How Science Moves, Knowledge Decays, and What We Know Improves 14.02.2023 1:02:56

In this episode, Nick and Chris investigate how facts and ideas have a  half-life.  _________________________________ 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:...

Netflix's Password Sharing Decision and How It Could Be Its Undoing; Customer Retention Vs Acquisition; State of Streaming 08.02.2023 1:05:21

In this episode, Nick and Chris look at the history of Netflix as the streaming giant looks to crack down on password sharing. Highlights include: Chris' apology for being late; A history of Netflix; Weird 9/11 Mandela Effect; Why Writers are the Kings of Streaming; Review of Our New Favorite Show; ____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r...

The End of Disruption (not really); Ig Nobel Prizes, Patient Rights, Consolidation-Disruption and the Slog of Science 31.01.2023 51:45

In this episode, Nick and Chris investigate the so-called consolidation-disruption index, impact factor, patient rights and the overall slog of scientific research. They also look at Ig Nobel Prizes, the Bell Laboratories history and discuss AI in language.  ____________________________________________ Connect with the show: Watch the episode on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3Dzux1a Reddit: https:/...

Dunning-Kruger Effect: We're the Best Podcasters in the World; Dr. Death; Movie Review - Banshees of Inisherin 24.01.2023 51:13

In this episode, Nick and Chris break down the cognitive bias known as the Dunning-Kruger effect. They also talk about the 2022/23 movies The Menu and The Banshees of Inisherin.  ____________________________________________ Connect with the show:  Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/comments/w35b8d/welcome_to_rgametheorypod/ Website: https://www.gametheorypod.com Game Theory o...

Dating Game II: Sister Wives, Love is Blind, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, 90-Day Fiancé 17.01.2023 1:00:54

In this episode, Nick & Chris break down some of America's best dating shows. ____________________________________________ 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.co...

Southwest Airlines' Utter Meltdown and Our Best and Worst Parts of Airports 10.01.2023 47:28

In this episode, Nick & Chris breakdown and chat about the Southwest Airlines Meltdown and fight about public transit.  ____________________________________________ 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...

George Washington's Biggest Battlefield Decision 03.01.2023 59:38

In this episode, Nick and Chris break down George WashingtonBRAND NEW SUBREDDIT Shouts to Player 3 John for making it happen! 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....

Game Theory First Annual Holiday Party!!!; Hanukkah History; Teach Your Kids Dreidel!! 20.12.2022 56:57

In this episode, Nick and Chris host the first-ever Game Theory Holiday Party! Connect with us: BRAND NEW SUBREDDIT Shouts to Player 3 John for making it happen! 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 Twit...

Hosting the Olympcs & World Cup: Business, Distraction, and Sportwashing 13.12.2022 54:57

In this episode, Nick & Chris look into the recent history of hosting the Olympic games and the World Cup. The episode includes discussions of collusion between FIFA and Qatar and Russia, how Brazil improved on its experience after the World Cup, and how the future is collaborative. Time Stamps: Look ahead (2:02) - Lindt vs Garibaldi, Next episodes [How to Win Christmas and Hanukka/Year-in-Review...

Rankings are Dumb: Why Michelin Stars are Double-Edged Sword and You Shouldn't Be All-In on Lists 06.12.2022 51:00

In this episode, Nick and Chris freebase a conversation about why we're so obsessed with rankings for US universities, restaurants, movies and college football. Connect with us: SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER!! https://www.aweber.com/users/landing_pages/import/edd1ed06-af90-4c3a-a41c-bd1096ce45cb BRAND NEW SUBREDDIT Shouts to Player 3 John for making it happen! https://www.reddit.com/r/gametheorypod/c...

EMERGENCY THROWBACK: FTX, BlockFi Put Cypto on Life Support: How a Game Theory Concept Explains the Failures of FTX, BlockFi and Maybe the Whole System 29.11.2022 53:02

Chris (Player 2) had some emergency work-related travel pop up, the boys will be back this week! _________________________________________________________ Website: https://www.gametheorypod.com Game Theory on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gametheorypod Game Theory on Twitter: @GameTheoryPod https://twitter.com/GameTheoryPod Nick on Twitter: @tribnic https://twitter.com/tribnic Chris on Twitte...

THROWBACK: Black Friday Prisoner's Dilemma - How a clever idea screwed everyone and how it's changing + Thanksgiving food hot takes 22.11.2022 41:07

This episode was originally published in 2021. As we spend Thanksgiving in Arizona, we hope you enjoy this blast from the past.  Contact: gametheorymedia1@gmail.com If you've been grossed out by the fact that stores opened on Thanksgiving day for Black Friday discounts, you're not alone. But, what if I said it wasn't their fault? They kind of had to. But, the worst part, is that shoppers also...