Great Minds Look Alike

The Prisoner’s Dilemma teaches us one lesson:

You are not clever. You make a decision based on what you think other people will do, and for some reason you don’t consider that everyone else is doing the exact same thing. Homo Economicus (the rational man) should realize that everyone is digging his own grave by thinking he’s so clever, but for some reason he doesn’t.

Case in point: professor’s going to curve a test. So everyone thinks, “I’m not going to study and still get a good grade.” Then one guy thinks, “I’m going to study just a little bit, and then my grade will be AWESOME!” But everyone is that guy. Everyone thinks the way that guy thinks. Then the curve’s not as big and everyone’s disappointed about not getting a higher grade.

Another excellent example (courtesy of today’s government lecture):

An English tourist made her way to China a long, long time ago before barges were powered by engine. She saw a group of men pushing a barge down a river, three on each bank. Behind those three men on each side was a fourth man, whipping the three in front of him. She figured to herself that they must be slaves; why would anyone allow such barbarism to occur? Her tour guide informed her that the three men on each bank paid their fourth man to whip them. 

What?! 

Turns out, each man figured he could work slightly less hard and the barges would still get pushed roughly the same distance (and, as they were paid based on the distance the barge moved, each man figured his pay wouldn’t be affected). EACH MAN figured. So the barges only moved a small amount each day, and they got paid less. Solution: pay a man to beat the crap out of you so you’ll work harder.

Hey, world, stop being so “clever” and fucking everyone over. 

Also, for the love of God, just keep quiet and accept one year in jail.