Game Theory with Ben Polak: Five First Lessons (Transcript) - The Singju Post
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Yale's Ben Polak opens his legendary Game Theory course by showing how rational self-interest and strategic thinking shape every decision — and why that should change how you see the world.
Game TheoryDominant StrategyNash EquilibriumPrisoner's Dilemma
Theory Briefing
- Yale's Economics 159 opens with a live classroom game, instantly showing students that outcomes depend on others' choices, not just your own.
- Polak's first lesson dismantles the idea of 'best choices in isolation' — in strategic settings, your optimal move shifts with what rivals do.
- The course introduces dominant strategies early, revealing why rational players can still end up in collectively bad outcomes like the Prisoner's Dilemma.