FUN ZONE

play, poke, and learn non-zero thinking

Animated hedgehog

So, you've arrived here wondering what to do first, well why not have a play? We have some actual games that you can enjoy, and some simulations that help you get a feel for non-zero-sum dynamics. If you're new to the idea and you're up for a read (or a listen), then this is a great place to start, here you'll find the shortest, most accessible posts on the site, a taster for bigger ideas to come.

GAMES & SIMS

If you're here because you saw "games" in the url then don't fear, we have some for you. These are very loosely connected to the idea of non-zero-sum games, they're mainly just for fun. Enjoy!

LOCKWISE LOCKWISE
a meta-game
The Tetris Effect THE TETRIS EFFECT
3d minimalist tetris and the obscuring problem

If you're enjoying having a play, but want to start get a feel for non-zero-sum dynamics, I love making posts that include interactive simulations. Here are some simple starters (though the gravity one is pretty crazy, don't feel obligated to read the wild speculations).

Parable of a Polyp PARABLE OF A POLYP
from zero-sum to non-zero-sum
Capitalising on Trust CAPITALISING ON TRUST
a karmic simulation
Emergent Gravity EMERGENT GRAVITY
create your own universe from chaos

QUICK HITS

There's a lot that can be learned on this site, but it's not all about that. I'm a person too, and I'd love to share with you some of what motivates me, and keeps me feeling creative—and sort of explains the cute animals.

Furry Friends FURRY FRIENDS
the joy of interspecies camaraderie
Creative Principles CREATIVE PRINCIPLES
a behind-the-scenes look
Why I'm keeping my crappy drawings WHY I'M KEEPING MY CRAPPY DRAWINGS
how ai art won't supplant... art
Taking Credit TAKING CREDIT
the paradox of original ideas
Coach Krohn on Leadership NON-ZERO HEROES
people that inspire me

EASING INTO GAME THEORY

While this site is focused particularly on non-zero-sum (win-win) games, these are just one aspect of the wider field of game theory. If you're interested in diving into game theory, it goes pretty deep. The posts below are from the shallow end of the pool, feel free to dip your toes in and have a splash around, and if you're feeling up to it... keep swimming (stretching the metaphor somewhat).

What are non-zero-sum games? WHAT ARE NON-ZERO-SUM GAMES?
an introduction
Crab Bucket ARE YOU IN A CRAB BUCKET?
how to escape negative-sum games
Non-Zero Thinking for Kids NON-ZERO THINKING FOR KIDS
taking non-zero thinking into the world
The Prisoner's Dilemma THE PRISONER'S DILEMMA
a problematic poster-child
The Dilemma's Dilemma THE DILEMMA'S DILEMMA
how we frame negotiations matters
The Stag Hunt THE STAG HUNT
cultivating cooperation to reap rewards
Arusha Perpetual Chicken ARUSHA PERPETUAL CHICKEN
an unlikely iterated game
Movie Night: Battle of the Sexes MOVIE NIGHT
battle of the sexes
What is Confidence? WHAT IS CONFIDENCE?
in game theory and real life

I hope you've enjoyed these introductory posts. I do my best to keep all the posts accessible and (ideally) fun, but I do... have a tendency to ramble and geek-out at times. If you've got this far, perhaps you're the type of person who can travel with me on some of some of the wilder rides, in which case I'm very excited to have you here—if you're really bold you might even try foundations!