What is Game Theory in the Age of Chaos?
Game Theory in the Age of Chaos is a 532-page book of 65 essays about game theory and politics. Every day since Donald Trump got elected, game designer Mike Selinker fought the urge to scream at the internet. Instead, he channeled that howling into a series of essays showing how game theory explains and justifies the behavior of all the actors in the system: the politicians, the military, the judiciary, the media, and most of all, people like us. If you want to know why all the terrible things happened in the world, Mike’s got some answers for you. You might not like all of them, but they’ll help you make sense of it all.
What does the book cover?
Everything that happened in the second half of the 2010s. Mike uses game theory to explain the impeachments of Donald Trump, the battle over abortion rights, the rise of international bad actors like Russia and North Korea, the people’s movements in Hong Kong and urban America, and the unbeatable return of Joe Biden. Mike uses all the tools in his arsenal, from classical game theory models to the fundaments of games like poker, Diplomacy, Werewolf, and Dungeons & Dragons. Each copy comes with a digital edition which contains four bonus essays from the end of the Trump presidency.
What does the book cover?
Everything that happened in the second half of the 2010s. Mike uses game theory to explain the impeachments of Donald Trump, the battle over abortion rights, the rise of international bad actors like Russia and North Korea, the people’s movements in Hong Kong and urban America, and the unbeatable return of Joe Biden. Mike uses all the tools in his arsenal, from classical game theory models to the fundaments of games like poker, Diplomacy, Werewolf, and Dungeons & Dragons. Each copy comes with a digital edition which contains four bonus essays from the end of the Trump presidency.
Is this a game theory textbook?
Not really, but it comes close. That’s because Mike brought in some well-credentialed backup: professional game theorist Richard Malena-Webber. After every essay, Rich gives a primer on the game theory behind the essays. Under the headline “Rich explains,” he helps you make sense of the prisoner’s dilemma, the stag hunt, gambling for redemption, and other principles you’ll want to know if you want to speak authoritatively about games. Plus, there’s a foreword from game enthusiast and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, who puts some of these theories to use on a daily basis.
What should I listen to while reading it?
For us, it helps to crank up the volume on our favorite thematically appropriate tunes. So, we’ve assembled some of these songs, with the artists’ kind permission. Because they want to fight fascism too. Each book comes with a digital copy of the album Music to Doomscroll By. These socially charged songs are by Austin Wintory, The Doubleclicks, Jim Boggia, Jonathan Coulton, Jonathan Mann, Kid Beyond feat. Born I, Kirby Krackle, Marian Call and the Guttersnipes, Mega Ran & DJxDN3, Molly Lewis, Quelle Chris & Chris Keys, and Sidecar Astronauts. Good tunes for troubling times.
What should I listen to while reading it?
For us, it helps to crank up the volume on our favorite thematically appropriate tunes. So, we’ve assembled some of these songs, with the artists’ kind permission. Because they want to fight fascism too. Each book comes with a digital copy of the album Music to Doomscroll By. These socially charged songs are by Austin Wintory, The Doubleclicks, Jim Boggia, Jonathan Coulton, Jonathan Mann, Kid Beyond feat. Born I, Kirby Krackle, Marian Call and the Guttersnipes, Mega Ran & DJxDN3, Molly Lewis, Quelle Chris & Chris Keys, and Sidecar Astronauts. Good tunes for troubling times.
Can I see some pages?
Yes!
Click the picture to make it bigger!
Where can I get it?
Game Theory in the Age of Chaos can be found on the Lone Shark Games store.