The Ultimate Game

[fc3]

This is probably a bad idea just before a holiday weekend, but here goes...

"Irrational markets: people reject free money out of anger
The Ultimatum Game, in which test subjects respond to take-it-or-leave-it offers, has allowed psychologists to explore how humans handle issues like fairness and punishment. But a new study shows some people attempt to punish even when the rules of the game are stacked in a way that makes it impossible."

Presuming that the results of these surveys are accurate, then it's small wonder the country is in the shape we find it. "[P]eople can't even be bothered to perform a rational analysis when money is on the line, much less engage in rational actions." And so we have tax policy, social policy, and I soon fear health policy formed to satisfy idiots who refuse to think.

Full article is here.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[tmhudson2]

I remember a human behavior class in college in which we studied Parent-Adult-Child interactions. In essence, whenever someone tries to communicate with you from a Childlike attitude, your natural response is to come back at them from a Parental attitude, which only reinforces their (presumeably dysfunctional) behavior. If you come back at them from an Adult perspective, it usually forces them into changing from Child to Adult communication, and in theory at least, the two of you can then have a rational discussion of whatever the issue is.

I've tried this with both my children (20 and 15) and associates at work; it doesn't always work, but maybe I'm too easily pushed back into the Parent mode.

Anyway, I wonder if there's any way we can do this on a mass communication basis, to get this country thinking again, rather than reacting emotionally to every little issue.

 

[Pseudomind]

Anyway, I wonder if there's any way we can do this on a mass communication basis, to get this country thinking again, rather than reacting emotionally to every little issue.

I would sure like to see this happen, but until some major event happens I do not see taking place. Far to many in our society have found that they will be taken care of to some extent by doing nothing. Thinking is beyond them, if the media states it, it must be true, and besides they can always go back home and live with mom and dad.

Instead of mom and dad doing the right thing and saying no, you are an adult, your mess, get yourself out of it.

 

[tmhudson2]

I would sure like to see this happen, but until some major event happens I do not see taking place. Far to many in our society have found that they will be taken care of to some extent by doing nothing. Thinking is beyond them, if the media states it, it must be true, and besides they can always go back home and live with mom and dad.

Instead of mom and dad doing the right thing and saying no, you are an adult, your mess, get yourself out of it.

I get a little bit idealistic around holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. I'll be back to my old cynical self come Monday....

 

[JediJD]

And so we have tax policy, social policy, and I soon fear health policy formed to satisfy idiots who refuse to think.

Sorry, missed how this was a news flash. I thought that when we started abrogating the educational system to educrats two or three decades ago that we were headed for long term trouble.

 

[fc3]

I remember a human behavior class in college in which we studied Parent-Adult-Child interactions. In essence, whenever someone tries to communicate with you from a Childlike attitude, your natural response is to come back at them from a Parental attitude, which only reinforces their (presumeably dysfunctional) behavior. If you come back at them from an Adult perspective, it usually forces them into changing from Child to Adult communication, and in theory at least, the two of you can then have a rational discussion of whatever the issue is.

I've tried this with both my children (20 and 15) and associates at work; it doesn't always work, but maybe I'm too easily pushed back into the Parent mode.

Anyway, I wonder if there's any way we can do this on a mass communication basis, to get this country thinking again, rather than reacting emotionally to every little issue.

That's new to me. Interesting. Would be nice if the masses could get out of that emotional response mode.

Sorry, missed how this was a news flash. I thought that when we started abrogating the educational system to educrats two or three decades ago that we were headed for long term trouble.

Yeah, but now then studied and documented that people don't act in society's best interests, in their own best interests, or in anyone's interests. Their actions are irrational. Even in simple situations, some people are irrational. How can we allow people who make irrational decisions to take part in ... well, anything?

 

[Four Suns]

I have seen the "Ultimate Game" play out many times in the venture capital industry... it's true... and absurd...

 

[tmhudson2]

That's new to me. Interesting. Would be nice if the masses could get out of that emotional response mode.

It's a part of the larger Transactional Analysis that came to be referred to as "pop psychology". Like many theories in the realm of psychology, it's probably been stretched beyond its useful limits, but I have found it to be a useful approach at times.