Referring to this.

.

Explanation:
“Game theory”, in economics, refers to “how do you maximize your profits?”, in a theoretical way. Therefore it is greed theory. It should be called as such. The term “game theory” should be reserved for the study of Zelda, or eggs/sperm cells if one so wants.

  • Shiggles@sh.itjust.works
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    5 months ago

    ? Economic game theory is “how do you maximize your profits while understanding everybody else is also trying to maximize their profits and their strategies have an effect on how well yours works”. Game theory is used in everything from economics to traffic to understand individual strategies in different environments. It’s a weirdly specific cog in the orphan crushing machine to take issue with

    • Neato@ttrpg.network
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      5 months ago

      It’s also inherent in evolution and life competition. And the resounding lesson life has learned is that it’s always better to cooperate.

      Hence why social animals exist.

    • gandalf_der_12te@feddit.deOP
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      5 months ago

      Well it’s the philosophical backbone behind a lot of decisions that management makes.

      “If the company does X, the people will respond with Y, and that will earn us Z money. So we do it, even though it’s unethical.”

      So I guess that it’s an important part to take an issue with.

          • gandalf_der_12te@feddit.deOP
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            5 months ago

            Yeah, I do math too, and math is wonderful. I’m not angry at math. I just wanted to point out that the tool can be bent in evil ways, and we should be wary about that.

        • RedAggroBest@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          Yea, OP missed that if it needs a rename, it would be as Efficiency Theory. In virology for example, game theory outlines how the flu and other viruses get less deadly over time since a just kinda sick person spreads disease better than the dead or deathly ill.

          • gandalf_der_12te@feddit.deOP
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            5 months ago

            I agree with you, and I just wanted to point out how, in earlier times, greed was consideres as something abhorrent, while in modern times, it is well-embraced.

            The thinking “how do I be most successful”, however, has a lot in common with greed. And game theory describes exactly that. Capitalism is just the practical aspect of greed. Saying that viruses get less dangerous over time is correct, still they are more dangerous than no virus at all.