Game-theory as it relates to the survival of the human race
By zevi770 · February 19, 2016
Never before were the words of Carl Jung – one of the greatest psychologists more relevant – “we must understand ourselves, for we are the only ones who can destroy ourselves!”
Never before has a country been pursuing the means to do so, with the aim to fulfill their belief, “When the world will be filled up to a horse’s knee with blood. the messiah will come” (Iran)
When we are born, we certainly are not savages – we are not bullies – no little baby cries out of anger, yet somehow by the time we are two we can throw temper-tantrums – we can be cruel to the people kindest to us (isn’t that always the case.)
Let’s begin with game theory:
One of the greatest scientists ever, was Van-Neumen whose game theory (never mind his invention of algorithm, the computer, the atom bomb which he helped make a reality) changed the world.
In essence, game theory says, people see the world in one of two strategic methods – the first is “it is a war to the death” – the other “it is a merry-go-round; the more people that get on, the faster it spins.”
Nowhere is this clearer, than as we see literally, the Arabs hacking each other to death, in fulfillment of their zero-sum game strategy, encapsulated in the saying, “I against my brother, my brother and me against my cousin, and my cousin and I against the rest of the world” – contrast this: in the west, where we seek the benefit, the freedom, the prosperity of all people! you have two diametrically apposed games.
But what Van Nuemen didn’t understand – as he was merely observing reality was; why do societies develop under such a radical contrasts?
The answer is in fact simple:
It all depends on the Bible.
You see, having lived in Africa, we see game theory clearly – most of Africa has tribal religions, superstitions, magic etc. and they live in the “I OR you” hence “fight to the death” game – the moment you take away any centralized power, they literally do so – which in fact, even unbelievably happened during hurricane Katrina, that blacks were shooting at helicopters that were coming to rescue them, as the top “dogs” controlling relief centers, raping at will, didn’t want to lose their power.
Yet we find, when people, under the influence of the Bible, would settle; say the founding fathers of America, they established to the best of their (limited) abilities, a civilization based on law and order.
What I realized living in Africa is, that we are not closer to human nature, rather they are.
As game theory suggests – human nature begins savage – we see this even in small children that while they on one hand have great idealistic views, simultaneously, they can be selfish to the extent of absolute cruelty – not anger, rather, “I want that toy, i’ll bite you to get it.”
However this is the good side of game theory, where unfortunately lack of law and order means people not having higher values will steal – there is a far darker side to game theory, and that is murder for the sake of murder.
This is what compelled hitler, what the Arabs against the Jews God-forbid want, and what fanatical Islam which currently numbers at least 500,000,000 desires.
What on earth would compel someone to kill someone else, if they stand nothing to gain?!
The answer can be found in psychopathic killers – the reason they do so is because, if I love you, then it is most natural for me to try to help you; But if I don’t love you, say like my emotion toward an ant – then one of two remaining options occur: either I have a use or not, for you – This is how we treat really all vegetation and 99% of animals (we raise cows, kill them and eat them); Or your existence make me somehow feel inferior – so now your association to me is simply negative – this is how we feel towards mosquitoes (we don’t innately hate mosquitoes – there are other insects that look exactly like them and I have no malice in my heart for them – but I happily kill mosquitoes.)
The problem and why game theory predicts a very dismal end to the human race – if not for Divine intervention; is, those who love, are not proactive in their destruction of evil – in other words, as they don’t see evil in others, they will not take action until the evil first hits them.