Non-Zero-Sum James
Non-Zero-Sum James
A podcast where I read my blog to you, and chit-chat a little.
I'm Non-Zero-Sum James, your companion on this exploration of win-win games and how they are essential for a better future. I've been writing here at nonzerosum.games for a couple of years now, and decided it was finally time to reproduce the content in the form in which I usually consume media, audio. So, playing catch-up, every couple of days I'll be reading from the blog, exploring a new aspect of game theory, moral philosophy, ethical economics and AI—looking for solutions to the complex problems we face in our world together.
I'm Non-Zero-Sum James, your companion on this exploration of win-win games and how they are essential for a better future. I've been writing here at nonzerosum.games for a couple of years now, and decided it was finally time to reproduce the content in the form in which I usually consume media, audio. So, playing catch-up, every couple of days I'll be reading from the blog, exploring a new aspect of game theory, moral philosophy, ethical economics and AI—looking for solutions to the complex problems we face in our world together.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 23, 2025 • 9min
Capitalism ~ a Zero-Sum Game?
This episode we look objectively at the question "is capitalism a zero sum game?" the answer might be surprising. | For the original post and links: https://nonzerosum.games/capitalism.html
Jun 18, 2025 • 6min
Evil Globalisation ~ and how it's Eliminating Global Poverty
On globalisation, and how it might just surprise you. | For the original post and links: https://nonzerosum.games/globalisation.html
Jun 15, 2025 • 8min
Relative Gains ~ How not to Measure Success
We join Diderot, a very bright man made a fool by circumstance, to introduce an essential idea in understanding economics and non-zero-sum games—the issue of relative vs absolute gains. | For the original post, including links and references visit: https://nonzerosum.games/absolutevsrelative.html
Jun 12, 2025 • 8min
Diminishing Returns ~ On Happiness
Ever noticed that the first slice of pizza is always the best and each slice afterwards never quite matches up? Well, welcome to The Law of Diminishing Returns. | For links and more info: https://nonzerosum.games/diminishingreturns.html
Jun 9, 2025 • 6min
Movie Night
Every Friday our family settles in for family movie night—it's the highlight of the week, especially for the person who's "turn" it is—my wife, daughter and I take turns sharing a movie we love. Our eventual decision to take turns reflects the conclusions of game theory's... The Battle of the Sexes. | To continue exploring check out the main page: https://nonzerosum.games/battleofthesexes.html
Jun 6, 2025 • 9min
Arusha Perpetual Chicken
Inspired by a recent trip to Tanzania, I couldn't help see game theory in action. | For links and pics: https://nonzerosum.games/chicken.html
Jun 4, 2025 • 4min
The Ultimatum Game
Take-it-or-leave-it. In this game, you are given $10. To keep the money, you have to give a portion of this $10 away to another player. If we take the contained, rational and self-interested assumptions of game theory, the dominant strategy is simple: give the other player as little as possible. The catch is, if the other player rejects your offer, you both get nothing. | For all the links, pictures and payoff matrices visit: https://nonzerosum.games/ultimatumgame.html
Jun 2, 2025 • 6min
Social Dilemmas
Dealing with public goods, free riders and exploitation. | For links, pics and to join the discussion: https://nonzerosum.games/socialdilemmas.html
May 31, 2025 • 6min
The Stag Hunt
Two hunters can cooperate to catch a stag (a difficult but highly rewarding prize) or each can safely hunt a hare (a lower-value but guaranteed meal). | For links and images visit the page: https://nonzerosum.games/staghunt.html
May 29, 2025 • 13min
The Dilemma's Dilemma
We've considered how the Prisoner's Dilemma reveals a number of key concepts in game theory. Yet, I have some reservations that it is the field's best advocate for applying game theory in the real world. This episode will outline the problems with using the Prisoner's Dilemma as our go-to scenario. | For illustrations and links, check out the original post: https://nonzerosum.games/dilemmasdilemma.html
