Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Prisoner's Dilemma

Cooperate or Defect?"The Question: Pipeline" in Detective Comics #863 by Greg Rucka and Cully Hamner, DC Comics (2010)

The Question and the Huntress are kidnapped by a sinister organization of international human traffickers. They are each tortured in separate rooms and urged to reveal their plan to the captors. If each holds firm, the criminals learn nothing (though both might still be held and tortured). If one squeals, she might be released. If both squeal, the captors learn everything (and both will likely get killed).

Sound familiar? Good--it's the Prisoner's Dilemma. If they were both behaving rationally, each would obviously squeal on the other for the chance of release. However, the optimal outcome would be if both say nothing.

See here for more superhero applications of it.

17 comments:

Larry Lennhoff said...

I don't agree that in this case the rational thing to do is squeal. All the choices have a significant chance of getting them killed. In superhero universes, rescue is always a possibility. The choice that results in the longest time for a rescue to be possible is to hold out.

ShadowBanker said...

Even if there is a significant chance of them getting killed in each scenario, if one scenario offers even slightly less risk, it would be the rational choice.

Unknown said...

The point about always having the possibility of rescue relies on the hero realizing they are in a comic book. If this were the case why would they even try to save the day. The writers will let someone else do it. My point is heroes are not aware of the fact they are in a comic.

The biggest problem is that you have to take into account the fact that they are heroes in this case. Heroes take up their mantle to protect people and are willing to die for the other person. It almost becomes the reverse of the standard person. They get more utility by saving the other, although, naturally, they would like to get out safely. This is not irrational. Rationality depends on ones preferences and the utility derived from those preferences. If someone's preferences are different they may come to a completely different decision and still be acting rationally.

Penis Enlargement said...

These kind of post are always inspiring and I prefer to read quality comics so I happy to find many good point here in the post, writing is simply great, thank you for the post

kamagra said...

Well that's very hard, because when some torture you and you know what they or he or she wants to know you just can't handle it...

link wheel said...

I used to be wondering what's up with that bizarre gravatar??? I know 5am is early and I am not looking my best at that hour, however I hope I don't appear to be this! I'd nonetheless make that face if I am asked to do 100 pushups. lol Anyway, in my language, there will not be a lot good supply like this.

sim so dep said...

There are certainly numerous details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the ideas above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you convey up where a very powerful factor might be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round issues like that, however I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Anyway, in my language, there will not be a lot good supply like this.

so dep said...

Hello, I saw a 3 of your attention-grabbing posted posts and wished to ask if you happen to would be concerned with reciprocal pages? Team have blog about alexis texas ass! Anyway, in my language, there usually are not a lot good source like this.

linkwheel said...

Have you ever considered including a little bit bit more than simply your ideas? I imply, what you say is essential and everything. However its obtained no punch, no pop! Maybe should you added a pic or two, a video? You may have such a extra highly effective weblog if you let folks SEE what youre speaking about instead of simply studying it. Anyway, in my language, there will not be much good supply like this.

gulf coast claims facility said...

Hello, I noticed a 3 of your interesting posted posts and wished to ask in case you would be keen on reciprocal pages? Team have weblog about alexis texas ass! Anyway, in my language, there usually are not much good source like this.

gccf said...

Have you ever ever thought about adding a little bit extra than just your ideas? I imply, what you say is important and everything. However its bought no punch, no pop! Perhaps if you added a pic or two, a video? You could have such a extra highly effective weblog in case you let individuals SEE what youre talking about as a substitute of simply reading it. Anyway, in my language, there usually are not a lot good source like this.

bp claims said...

Utterly understand what your stance in this matter. Though I'd disagree on some of the finer particulars, I think you did an superior job explaining it. Certain beats having to analysis it on my own. Thanks. Anyway, in my language, there aren't a lot good supply like this.

bp claims process said...

Your blog is fine. I just want to touch upon the design. Its too loud. Its doing means too much and it takes away from what youve acquired to say --which I think is actually important. I dont know when you didnt suppose that your words might hold everyones consideration, but you were wrong. Anyway, in my language, there usually are not much good supply like this.

gccf claims said...

I used to be wondering in the event you could be excited by becoming a guest poster on my weblog? and in change you may put a hyperlink the publish? Please let me know whenever you get a chance and I'll ship you my contact details - thanks. Anyway, in my language, there are usually not a lot good source like this.

sim so dep said...

The biggest problem is that you have to take into account the fact that they are heroes in this case. Heroes take up their mantle to protect people and are willing to die for the other person. It almost becomes the reverse of the standard person. They get more utility by saving the other, although, naturally, they would like to get out safely. This is not irrational. Rationality depends on ones preferences and the utility derived from those preferences. If someone's preferences are different they may come to a completely different decision and still be acting rationally.

negocios rentables said...

I was wondering if you want to be a visitor poster on my web site? and in trade you possibly can include a hyperlink your publish? Please reply whenever you get an opportunity and I will send you my contact particulars - thanks. Anyway, in my language, there usually are not much good supply like this

xlpharmacy said...

I can see this comic is really realistic and that's so good, specially because of the punishments they give to the prisoners, just look at the punish the girl is receiving I thought that they were to do something else with her maybe rape her.