SSC
SSC Survey Results 2020
Scott Alexander presents the results of the 2020 Slate Star Codex survey, including links to data, privacy measures, and future analysis plans.
4 min read 498 words
A thread through the archive
Prisoner's Dilemma
Essays tagged “Prisoner's Dilemma”. Follow an idea across the archive.
Essays on Prisoner's Dilemma
9 essaysLW
Game Theory As A Dark Art
Scott presents six game theory scenarios demonstrating how strategic thinking can force rational actors into seemingly irrational outcomes, ranging from theoretical examples like evil plutocrats and hostile takeovers to real-world applications like dollar auctions and the Golden Balls game show.
26 min read 3,915 words
LW
Interlude for Behavioral Economics
Scott examines experimental data on how people actually behave in Prisoner's Dilemma and Ultimatum Game situations, finding that people use various heuristics like tit-for-tat and fairness considerations rather than purely rational strategies.
12 min read 1,742 words
LW
Real World Solutions to Prisoners' Dilemmas
Scott explains how real-world solutions to Prisoner's Dilemmas work through social institutions, reputation systems, and evolved emotions like friendship and anger.
15 min read 2,190 words
LW
Introduction to Prisoners' Dilemma
Scott introduces the Prisoners' Dilemma, showing how rational reasoning leads two criminals to defect against each other even when mutual cooperation would benefit both, then explores why iterating the dilemma doesn't fully solve the problem.
10 min read 1,482 words
LW
Introduction to Game Theory: Sequence Guide
Scott introduces a 10-post sequence on game theory fundamentals, drawing from 'The Art of Strategy' by Dixit and Nalebuff, with links to all planned posts.
2 min read 303 words
LW
Diplomacy as a Game Theory Laboratory
Scott analyzes seven game theory concepts through his experiences playing Diplomacy, demonstrating how trust, enforcement mechanisms, revenge, and coalition-building work in practice, then proposes organizing a game among Less Wrong readers.
25 min read 3,818 words
LW
Eight Short Studies On Excuses
Scott uses eight game theory scenarios to show that excuses are evaluated not on truth or morality, but on whether accepting them would undermine credible commitment to rules, since accepting one excuse means accepting all equally good ones.
21 min read 3,212 words
LW
Survey Results
Scott analyzes results from a 166-person Less Wrong survey covering demographics, probability estimates on various topics, and philosophical positions, finding a highly educated, mostly male, atheist, politically libertarian/liberal community with surprisingly accurate collective knowledge but notable gaps between stated beliefs and actions.
15 min read 2,255 words