Comm101

Now I know game theory isn’t taught in our comm 101 course, nonetheless, it is a topic which intrigues me and one which I have decided to do research upon. A game is a situation in which decision makers rely on the decisions of the other players to make an optimum decision. It’s the study of how strategic decisions are made with the anticipation of the decisions made by other decision makers.

This is fascinating podcast which shows how Jane Austen actually wrote about game theory strategies and situations well before they were invented. Which is strange given that it was 100s of years before the study was invented. In the novel, the manner in which she manipulates the marriage while forecasting and planning for all the possible actions of the other parties involved is similar to game theory. It shows that game theory really is about thinking, and shouldn’t solely be restricted to grey beards with a wizard-like affinity for maths. It’s a great listen, and I would definitely recommend it.

http://freakonomics.com/2013/07/04/jane-austen-game-theorist-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/

– Stephen J. Dubner

07/04/13