A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
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A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
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Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#2These Game Theory MOOCs have been really useful to me, but the link in the paper is outdated. The courses are available here: https://web.stanford.edu/~jacksonm/courses.html
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#3Layman's question: are there programming languages that are particularly well-suited for modeling games?
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#4"Is Game Theory Useful?" (2012) [0]
[0] https://agtb.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/is-game-theory-useful/
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#5These Game Theory MOOCs have been really useful to me, but the link in the paper is outdated. The courses are available here: https://web.stanford.edu/~jacksonm/courses.html
The page you provided links to Matthew's article (which is what I posted)
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#6I sat though this algo game theory class while I was at UIUC.
https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/cs598rm/fa2019/schedule.ht...
I really enjoyed it.
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#7This paper is funny if you actually understand game theory because you can see how the author either chose to withhold key applicable information for applied game theory or inadequately researched famous game theory principles and developments.
This is a much easier and more realistic introduction to game theory principles:
Game theory is often explained as a math problem involving humans and a specific scenario that requires a choice, from humans.
The scenarios are fun thought experiments and about as useful as the famous trolley problem [1][2]
In reality humans have many more variables affecting decisions than the pure rational equations can clearly define. Often the undefined variables are within the context of communication theory and reputation or auditing systems.
In the case of the famous prisoners dilemma, the real solution is establishing a secret out of band communication channel prior to the dilemma, alongside a known reputation and retaliation penalty for abusing the mutual trust.[3] [4]
The famous "tragedy of the commons" rational resource optimization game is often cited as justification for machiavellian exploitation, yet humans being social creatures are subject to reputations, and have sophisticated communication, cooperation, and retaliation abilities. [4]
Elinor Ostrom's "Rules, games, and common-pool resources" and Robert Axelrod's work "The Evolution of Cooperation" both explain game theory in the context of human scale realities. Of particular interest to the hacker community would be Ostrom's Common Pool Resource principles, which are applicable to adhoc decentralized communities. :)
At the core of game theory, and human civilization is communication and trust. The abuse of mass media to manipulate populations knows the power of communication and cultural narratives, and we're witnessing what's often described in terms such as "hypernormalization" or "accelerationism" [6][7][8][9]
For a better applicable human scale game theory primer, check out Bruce Schneier's (yes, the same legendary cryptographer Bruce), "Liars and Outliers"
https://www.schneier.com/books/liars-and-outliers
[1] https://medium.com/@sarabizarro/the-trolley-problem-now-903a...
[2] https://old.reddit.com/r/trolleyproblem/top/?sort=top&t=all
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qjK3TWZE8
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elinor_Ostrom#Design_principle...
[5] https://www.stuartmcmillen.com/blog/amusing-ourselves-to-dea... Neil Postman's "Amusing Ourselves to Death"
[6] on Cybernetics and the 20th century "All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace" by Adam Curtis https://thoughtmaybe.com/all-watched-over-by-machines-of-lov...
[7] on propaganda and 20th century culture "The Century of the Self" by Adam Curtis https://thoughtmaybe.com/the-century-of-the-self/
[8] on the hyperreal news and the use of crisis to manipulate populations "Hypernormalization" by Adam Curtis https://thoughtmaybe.com/hypernormalisation/
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#8This paper is funny if you actually understand game theory because you can see how the author either chose to withhold key applicable information for applied game theory or inadequately researched famous game theory principles and developments. This is a much easier and more realistic introduction to game theory principles: https://ncase.me/trust/ Game theory is often explained as a math problem involving humans and…
Matt Jackson is one of the most respected game theorists at probably the best game theory department in the US.
His goal is just pretty different. He's presenting the mathematical / intuitive foundation that underly more advanced models (probably for the purposes of academic classes).
A lot of commonly understood stuff you mention (like reputation) is hard to define in the rational math of game theory, especially when you start layering real-world complexity like incomplete information.
See Kreps Milgrom Roberts Wilson (1981) for a fun example from two recent Nobel Prize winners on how hard this gets (and why it's useful to understand Matt Jackson's intro if you want to get into academic / theory stuff) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0022053182...
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#9What level of maths is required to understand this paper?
Re: A Brief Introduction to the Basics of Game Theory
#10What level of maths is required to understand this paper?
There is some notation you must know (product, sum, set, etc) but the math is very straightforward, which makes sense, game theory in its most basic form is relatively straightforward logic that one can reason through with needing complex mathematical tools or abstractions.