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A LITTLE SOMETHING WORTH KNOWING

A small discovery. Yours to pass on.

Math & LogicOne small ahaProbability or paradox

In this two-player game-theory scenario, individually rational betrayal can leave both worse off than cooperation.

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Math & LogicOne small aha
Your new ahaThe Prisoner's Dilemma

The Prisoner's Dilemma: Shows how individually rational choices can produce a worse outcome. Source: Prisoner's dilemma ↗

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More from Chance & Paradoxes

A few more worth knowing.

  1. 13This ancient Greek philosopher's paradox divides a journey into endlessly smaller distances to challenge the possibility of motion.RECALL
    Zeno's Paradox

    Zeno's paradox argues motion is logically impossible by endlessly halving the distance left to travel.

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  2. 14This identity puzzle asks whether a vessel remains the same object after every plank is replaced.RECALL
    The Ship of Theseus

    The Ship of Theseus questions whether an object remains itself once every part has been replaced.

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  3. 15In this relativity thought experiment, the sibling who makes a high-speed round trip can return younger than the one who stayed home.RECALL
    The Twin Paradox

    The twin paradox shows a traveling twin ages more slowly, a real effect predicted by Einstein's relativity.

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