description The Evolution of Trust Overview
Created by Nicky Case in 2017, The Evolution of Trust is an interactive, web-based explainer that uses game theory to demonstrate the mathematics of cooperation. Through a series of short simulations based on the iterated prisoner's dilemma, the project illustrates how different strategic behaviors—such as always cheating or initially cooperating—affect the development of trust within a society. It is designed for general audiences interested in mathematics, psychology, and behavioral economics.
help The Evolution of Trust FAQ
What game-theory problem does The Evolution of Trust simulate?
It uses repeated versions of the prisoner's dilemma, with players choosing whether to cooperate or cheat. The payoff changes depending on both choices, allowing strategies to succeed or fail across repeated encounters.
What is the Copycat strategy in The Evolution of Trust?
Copycat cooperates on the first round and then repeats whatever its opponent did previously. It is the explainer's version of tit for tat, the strategy discussed in Robert Axelrod's work on repeated cooperation.
Why can a small number of mistakes destroy cooperation in the game?
A mistaken cheat can cause two Copycats to retaliate against each other repeatedly, creating an unnecessary feud. Nicky Case demonstrates that a more forgiving strategy can recover when communication is imperfect.
Does The Evolution of Trust have a normal win condition?
Not in the usual video-game sense. The 2017 browser experience moves through interactive demonstrations and ends with a sandbox where players change populations, payoffs, match length, and error rates.
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