Game theory can explain humanity’s biggest problem | Steven Pinker

What's an example of the tragedy of the commons that you hope we move past?

This should be an hour video, going into detail, and explaining more about it. I do think that 4 mins is not enough, yet great topic, I never knew about the game theory, and now I do. Fun fact: my thesis paper, was against Steven Pinker, because I did not agree that the world is making progress as he claims. What is funny is, later after a year from writing that, I read two of his books, and now I'm one of his biggest fans, because I do think he is own to something. That is the power of reading and trying to have an open mind.

To the tragedy of the commons, I might also include the bystander effect. Things we would all benefit from working on.

Humanity’s biggest problem is the arrogance of self belief and the inflection of it onto others.

I would love to see an example of a mathematical model/simulation of game theory applied to the social sciences like this such as to an area of the economy or to the city transportation like in the example. Everyone’s best interests can be compatible and seen to in a humanistic way.

But that’s just a theory. A humanity theory! Thanks for watching!

3:53 not sure about that last one... the saying goes that, in times of universal availability of knowledge, ignorance is a choice, and I see too many people choose ignorance.

2:42 reminds me of a quote from Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation on prioritizing truth, "The first duty of every Starfleet officer is to the truth, whether it's scientific truth or historical truth or personal truth! It is the guiding principle on which Starfleet is based. And if you can't find it within yourself to stand up and tell the truth about what happened, you don't deserve to wear that uniform!"

I agree. Matpat may just be able to explain humanity's biggest problems.

the world needs more enlightenment humanism. As Pinker said, we all want and need a food water, warmth etc. I think there is a most efficient model where everyone gets those things(through technological applications; for example ease of "creating" food today vs. 2000 years ago) instead of competing and hoarding them. Im rooting for us

Was this talk delivered to this channel, or, is there a full talk that one can access? Link to that?

I don't see our present day threats and challenges [just] where this presenter sees them, and I don't see "progress" where sees it. I do see game theory being played out globally by different sets of factors and variables.

Humanity's biggest problems are the same as they have always been: selfishness and dishonesty.

Can game theory modified to include irrational behavior? I don't think people usually think rationally. When you assume people think rationally, it will give a big contradiction, practically and even theoretically.

Downplaying the value, role and impact of emotions and feelings in all the progress thats been made as well as the upheaval that's been created. Somethings were changed, not because we thought they were horrible but because we felt they were horrible. Rational though and action are one part of the human puzzle and not the whole of it

Yes BEAUTIFUL MINDS are being drowned out by the insanity of “ othering “ for power grabs. Divided the earth goes down in flames…the final lose/lose. Gosh, I had forgotten what a bright light of hope Steven is…I have got to dust of a couple of his books and reinvigorate myself!

'Tragedy of the Commons' refers to the overgrazing of (now) Central Park in the 1800s, not shared tragedies of the common man.

In the sense that homo sapiens have always been "explorers", seekers of facts, one would hope that [facts] "truth" is far more important than personal "feelings". All through childhood and even into a state of maturity we are always reminded and encouraged to "learn to control our emotions". As an undergraduate majoring in Sociology I had the fortune of Game Theory study, except then where I was in university it was taught as a slight variant referred to as "Exchange Theory". It "woke" me to a new understanding of human social intercourse.

This video was ok. I enjoyed it, but wish it was longer & more in depth, as it just seemed to scratch the surface with a general overview. Does the word rational insinuate that logic must be backed by math? Is it illogical or irrational if personal logic or rationale is based on beliefs? Does finding common ground mean that people/a person is being rational by establishing a "more correct" answer? Does a "more correct" answer really differ from a black & white answer if the outcome is the same?

I am reminded that we are no longer in a toilet paper crisis each time I see someone in your videos sitting on a big fat roll of it !!