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9 posts
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SSC Survey Results 2020

Scott Alexander presents the results of the 2020 Slate Star Codex survey, including links to data, privacy measures, and future analysis plans.

ssc
Jan 20, 2020 498 words 0 likes 174 comments Listen · 5 min Read Read Opened Opened

Game Theory As A Dark Art

Scott presents six game theory scenarios demonstrating how strategic thinking can force rational actors into seemingly irrational outcomes, ranging from theoretical examples like evil plutocrats and hostile takeovers to real-world applications like dollar auctions and the Golden Balls game show.

lw
Jul 24, 2012 3,915 words 178 likes 108 comments Read Read Opened Opened

Interlude for Behavioral Economics

Scott examines experimental data on how people actually behave in Prisoner's Dilemma and Ultimatum Game situations, finding that people use various heuristics like tit-for-tat and fairness considerations rather than purely rational strategies.

lw
Jul 6, 2012 1,742 words 93 likes 52 comments Read Read Opened Opened

Real World Solutions to Prisoners' Dilemmas

Scott explains how real-world solutions to Prisoner's Dilemmas work through social institutions, reputation systems, and evolved emotions like friendship and anger.

lw
Jul 3, 2012 2,190 words 74 likes 88 comments Read Read Opened Opened

Introduction to Prisoners' Dilemma

Scott introduces the Prisoners' Dilemma, showing how rational reasoning leads two criminals to defect against each other even when mutual cooperation would benefit both, then explores why iterating the dilemma doesn't fully solve the problem.

lw
Jun 30, 2012 1,482 words 66 likes 6 comments Read Read Opened Opened

Introduction to Game Theory: Sequence Guide

Scott introduces a 10-post sequence on game theory fundamentals, drawing from 'The Art of Strategy' by Dixit and Nalebuff, with links to all planned posts.

lw
Jun 28, 2012 303 words 90 likes 7 comments Read Read Opened Opened

Diplomacy as a Game Theory Laboratory

Scott analyzes seven game theory concepts through his experiences playing Diplomacy, demonstrating how trust, enforcement mechanisms, revenge, and coalition-building work in practice, then proposes organizing a game among Less Wrong readers.

lw
Nov 12, 2010 3,818 words 71 likes 98 comments Read Read Opened Opened

Eight Short Studies On Excuses

Scott uses eight game theory scenarios to show that excuses are evaluated not on truth or morality, but on whether accepting them would undermine credible commitment to rules, since accepting one excuse means accepting all equally good ones.

lw
Apr 20, 2010 3,212 words 942 likes 254 comments Read Read Opened Opened

Survey Results

Scott analyzes results from a 166-person Less Wrong survey covering demographics, probability estimates on various topics, and philosophical positions, finding a highly educated, mostly male, atheist, politically libertarian/liberal community with surprisingly accurate collective knowledge but notable gaps between stated beliefs and actions.

lw
May 12, 2009 2,255 words 63 likes 212 comments Read Read Opened Opened
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