TED-Ed: How to outsmart the Prisoner's Dilemma | Lucas Husted

Crispy and Chewy, two rational gingerbread men, face a dilemma posed by a fox. They must choose to spare or sacrifice each other, with outcomes based on their decisions. This scenario is a classic prisoner's dilemma, where betrayal is the Nash equilibrium. However, when the dilemma repeats infinitely, they can use future decisions as leverage, leading to potential cooperation if they value future outcomes enough. This concept applies to real-world situations like trade and politics, where long-term cooperation can be beneficial.

What happens if both Crispy and Chewy choose to spare each other?

• The fox eats all their limbs.

• The fox lets them go free.

• The fox eats one limb from each.

• The fox eats three limbs from each.

In the prisoner's dilemma, what is the Nash equilibrium?

• Both players cooperate.

• Both players betray each other.

• Neither player makes a decision.

• One player cooperates, the other betrays.

What new element does the wizard introduce to the dilemma?

• The gingerbread men gain extra limbs.

• The fox changes the rules.

• The dilemma is repeated infinitely.

• A new player joins the game.

How can Crispy and Chewy use future decisions as leverage?

• By asking the fox for mercy.

• By ignoring the future consequences.

• By agreeing to spare each other daily.

• By sacrificing each other every day.

What does a delta of 0 signify in the context of the dilemma?

• They will always choose to spare each other.

• They care more about future limbs than present limbs.

• They don't care about future limbs at all.

• They value future limbs equally to present limbs.

What is the significance of delta being greater than 1/3?

• The wizard will intervene again.

• Crispy and Chewy will always betray each other.

• Crispy and Chewy will choose to cooperate.

• The fox will change the rules.

How does the infinite prisoner's dilemma relate to real-world scenarios?

• It suggests that betrayal is inevitable.

• It demonstrates the benefits of long-term cooperation.

• It shows that short-term selfishness is always best.

• It only applies to fictional stories.