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This scenario isn't the Prisoner's Dilemma, but it's similar. The host of Golden Balls explains:
Ibrahim, Nick, you have two final golden balls in front of you and they are the most important golden balls of the game. You each have a golden ball with the word 'Split' written inside. You both have a ball with the word 'Steal' written inside. You will know which is Split and which is Steal because you're going to have a look. If you both pick the Split ball, you split the £13,600 and you go home with £6,800 each. If one of you chooses the Steal ball and the other chooses the Split ball whoever chooses the Steal ball goes home with the whole lot -- £13,600. But if you both choose the Steal ball, you leave today's game with what you came with: nothing. It's the ultimate test of faith, trust and -- let's face it -- greed. Take a moment to look at the balls in front of you so know for definite which is Split and which is Steal.
Nick immediately announces his intentions. Do you think that he chose wisely?
-via Althouse
Comments (8)
I wonder if Nick was familiar with game theory or if it just was the first solution that intuitively occurred to him. If it's the latter, that would really be remarkable, wouldn't it?
FYI - A serviceable billiards table, balls, and cue sticks can be made using materials you might find on a desert island - the hardest part was getting the colors right for the coconut balls - especially the 4, 8 and 12.