Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality 33 – Coordination Problems, Part 1
Jan 11, 2012
Hogwarts students battle in three armies, chaos ensues. Urgency to prevent a battle and save Professor Quirrell. Betrayal from Harry and his desire for chaos. Draco and Harry discuss the need for cooperation despite their differences. Analyzing the prisoner's dilemma and the importance of caring about each other.
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Rapid Spiral Of Social Division
- Hogwarts had rapidly descended into factional chaos with students forming armies and wearing armbands, showing how social divisions amplify quickly.
- Dumbledore and McGonagall recognize urgency and the need for intervention before real harm occurs.
Failed Centralized Plotting
- Draco describes plots going wrong and soldiers acting independently, making outcomes random rather than skill-based.
- He burned his planning paper after realizing the plan required too many unlikely successes.
Chaos As Deliberate Strategy
- Harry revels in chaos and deliberately escalates plotting to push boundaries beyond previous limits.
- He sees the chaos as an end in itself and refuses to back down from greater complexity.