***OFFICIAL Coursera Game Theory Spring 2013 Thread***

[a500lbgorilla]

I like how the whole point of this thread to Rilla is to argue about how upset he is that the answers weren't posted here. Apparently, nobody has had trouble with problem sets since nobody has asked questions. We all must be smart motha fuckas.

You apparently haven't done the work and I really haven't had trouble. The only trouble I've had was reading the poorly formatted answers in problem set 7. I think we're the only two here actually using this thread here and obviously it's used best for asking for help. Luckily, this thread wasn't necessary. So be it.

Yeah, I was angry for no good reason. I just haven't cared about this class and haven't had reason to.

If you found the force of will to hammer through this course, more power to you.

I still stand by my position that the best use of this thread would have been for an open communication of our thoughts in this thread.

I just always thought that it wasn't going to be worth anything donating to if it wasn't about helping each other think through even the dumbest corners of game theory analysis.

And there's a wall when we're not allowed to share answers explicitly. A sort of code that every abides by to not break the answer key for anyone else. A code that shifts everyone's approach to communicating in the thread.

I just think we should have said f-u to Standford's honor code in benefit of our discussion of the course.

This class has been on my mind enough that I want to take a crack at finishing it, but I'm more interested in how we can approach classes in the future, together.

[BooG690]

Well, our sample size here is kind of small. I really do believe you and I were the only ones participating in this thread. One of us fell behind and the other is a damn mathematical genius. Want to try again? I'm taking these classes next:

https://class.coursera.org/cgt-001/class/index
https://www.coursera.org/course/behavioralecon
https://www.coursera.org/course/ggp
https://www.coursera.org/course/gamification

[a500lbgorilla]

So, boog, how has your understanding of game theory improved your life?

[BooG690]

Taking this class has made me less bored. For the record, I took a game theory class in college. I just took this class in case they start making classes like these pre-reqs for other classes.

[a500lbgorilla]

So, you understand game theory.

How do you use game theory?

[BooG690]

I don't atm. I feel it'll help me in different classes though that may be useful in game playing (chess, poker, etc.).

[a500lbgorilla]

I don't atm. I feel it'll help me in different classes though that may be useful in game playing (chess, poker, etc.).

Yeah, game theory has given me a new 'vision' for all sorts of interactions that I have in the day to day.

I tried, like a lame-o, to tie it to Beyonce and her performance.

As if she had a decision between singing for herself and sounding like ass or lip-syncing and dancing it out - while 'sounding' amazing.

But the interesting thing I noticed was that she mixed responses in one response.

She lip-synced, then sang with her old gals au-naturale, then lip synced.

I was highly amused by this response that seemed to be outside the description of game theory.

[BooG690]

The idea of utility is something I've always loved since my first economics class. That's probably my favorite sticking point when trying to use game theory or economics in my everyday life.

Also, that maximizing utility is the name of the game. Doing shit for spite is really stupid but it's amazing how many times that action is played.

[a500lbgorilla]

The idea of utility is something I've always loved since my first economics class. That's probably my favorite sticking point when trying to use game theory or economics in my everyday life.

Also, that maximizing utility is the name of the game. Doing shit for spite is really stupid but it's amazing how many times that action is played.

In the same spirit, I have always loved the idea of metrics.

Metrics as in 'to be measured'.

It has units. Speed is mph, m/s. Velocity is <x, y, z> m/s etc

And I've always wondered about the units of utility. They seem to be, most commonly, dollars. But dollars themselves are not a unit. Not like a gram or a meter, at least. They're more emotional.

So what is a utility to you?

[BooG690]

Utility, to me, would be dollars or "happiness points." And sometimes you can use dollars to "buy happiness points."

Like, for instance, I have the choice to go to the amusement park or to the movies. The amusement park costs $20 while the movies cost $10. If I go to the amusement park, I go with a group of friends that I really enjoy. Also, I enjoy the amusement park more. The amusement park trip is worth 30 happiness points.

When I go to the movies, I go with one friend that is meh. Also, the movie will probably just be OK. The movies are worth 15 happiness points.

Let's make one dollar and a happiness point equal in terms of utility.

I lose 10 utility units to go to the movies but gain 15 for a net of 5.
I lose 20 utility units to go to the amusement park but gain 30 for a net of 10.
I obviously choose to go to the amusement park every time.

Obviously, this question was simplified for mathematics sake. Most people value money more than I do making my dollar to "happiness point" ratio pretty low. But yeah, there.

[a500lbgorilla]

Utility, to me, would be dollars or "happiness points." And sometimes you can use dollars to "buy happiness points."

Like, for instance, I have the choice to go to the amusement park or to the movies. The amusement park costs $20 while the movies cost $10. If I go to the amusement park, I go with a group of friends that I really enjoy. Also, I enjoy the amusement park more. The amusement park trip is worth 30 happiness points.

When I go to the movies, I go with one friend that is meh. Also, the movie will probably just be OK. The movies are worth 15 happiness points.

Let's make one dollar and a happiness point equal in terms of utility.

I lose 10 utility units to go to the movies but gain 15 for a net of 5.
I lose 20 utility units to go to the amusement park but gain 30 for a net of 10.
I obviously choose to go to the amusement park every time.

Obviously, this question was simplified for mathematics sake. Most people value money more than I do making my dollar to "happiness point" ratio pretty low. But yeah, there.

Is there a dollar~happiness ratio invariance? Is 10 dollars today worth .4 happiness points tomorrow?

This is the trouble I've always had with these descriptions. I kinda get where they're going, but with the exchange rates of happiness~dollars changing by the hour, I just don't see how it works.

[BooG690]

Well, if I went to the amusement park yesterday, the happiness points I gain from going to the amusement park today is obviously quite low. I guess I try to think of the maximum number of dollars I'd pay to do XYZ. I usually set that as the happiness points I'm getting. If I pay lower than that, net gain of HPs. If I am asked to pay more, I ain't going.

[a500lbgorilla]

Well, our sample size here is kind of small. I really do believe you and I were the only ones participating in this thread. One of us fell behind and the other is a damn mathematical genius. Want to try again? I'm taking these classes next:

https://class.coursera.org/cgt-001/class/index
https://www.coursera.org/course/behavioralecon
https://www.coursera.org/course/ggp
https://www.coursera.org/course/gamification

Why are you taking these courses?

[surviva316]

<3

Starts in 10 days

GIVE ME THE GOD DAMNED READING LIST, EDX!

I google imaged "give me the reading list" just in the 1 in 10 trillion chance that some sort of hilarious meme existed for this, and this was my first hit:

[surviva316]

Gamification is the application of game elements and digital game design techniques to non-game problems, such as business and social impact challenges.

"Game elements and design techniques" seems really vague to me. Do they mean applying game theory? Constructing game simulations? Does it mean anything and everything it could possible mean?

[BooG690]

It basically means gamifying things like fitness ala Fitocracy.

[a500lbgorilla]

It basically means gamifying things like fitness ala Fitocracy.

So a way to coax people to act?

[BooG690]

Basically, yes.

[BooG690]

Why are you taking these courses?

Boredom? I enjoy playing games and understanding how the human mind works (so I can manipulate it).

[a500lbgorilla]

Boredom? I enjoy playing games and understanding how the human mind works (so I can manipulate it).

So it's not boredom :P

I'm all for the second leg of your reasoning.

[surviva316]

It basically means gamifying things like fitness ala Fitocracy.

So like, Sesame Street (by analogy) would be like televisonifying education?

[BooG690]

Or the way Khan Academy has gamified learning maths:
https://www.khanacademy.org/exercisedashboard

[swiggidy]

I missed the first round, are these all free? I'd be interested in 1, 3 or 4 if 4hrs a week is likely sufficient (I have some relevant background)

[BooG690]

These are all free. Start the first one. It's pretty interesting. It's only in the second week. Four hours a week is more than enough.