Free Essay

Rational Pigs

In:

Submitted By esporro
Words 358
Pages 2
The Rational Pigs.

Here is a question posed in the book by John McMillan, Games, Strategies and Managers.

Two pigs, one dominant and the other subordinate, are put in a box. There is a lever at one end of the box which, when pressed, dispenses food at the other end. Thus, the pig that presses the lever must run to the other end; by the time it gets there, the other pig has eaten most, but not all, of the food. The dominant pig is able to prevent the subordinate pig from getting any of the food when both are at the food. Assume that pig survival depends upon getting the most food it possibly can, which pig will press the lever?

The Rational Pigs.

To answer this
Assume
• 6 units of grain are delivered.
• That pressing the lever and running to the other end involves effort, equivalent to ½ unit of grain
• Each could press the lever simultaneously but the subordinate pig could run faster.

Dominant Pig: Press Don’t Press
Subordinate Pig:
Press (1.5, 3.5) (-0.5, 6)
Don’t Press (5, 0.5) (0, 0)

Clearly, the subordinate pig has a dominant strategy (Don’t press). Why? Because his payoffs from pressing the lever are 1.5 and -0.5. If he doesn’t press the lever his payoffs are 5 or 0. In other words, as 5 is greater than 1.5 and 0 is greater than -0.5, it will always pay the subordinate pig to stop at the end where the food is released. This is a ‘rational’ choice. The ‘rational’ dominant pig should see this and press the lever. The equilibrium in this instance is the bottom left hand payoff of 5 units of food for the subordinate pig and 0.5 units for the dominant pig.

Amazing I know but there are lots of instances when the less dominant player can win a game if rationality prevails. Of course, this is a one-shot game and other things may prevail but the strict logic of game theory shows that it is possible for smaller players to win out in certain circumstances.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Reviews of Lord of Flies

...represents the conflicts between civilization and savagery in the conflict between this novel’s two main characters, namely, Ralph, Piggy and Simon, who represent rational, order and civilization, and Jack who represents savagery and irrational. At the beginning of this novel, almost all the children on the island remain civilization and obey the rules. The conch, a symbol of the civilization and order, could effectively govern the boys’ meetings and whoever holds it had the right to speak. To some extent, the conch is a vessel of political legitimacy and democratic power. Another important symbol in this novel is the fire. As the fire can help these boys get rescued and go back to the society, it is the connection between the savagery and civilization. As the story progresses, the savagery becomes more apparent when Jack became obsessed with the thought of killing the pigs and painted his face to camouflage in the jungle. As Jack was a powerful and strong boy, his actions influenced other boys, although Ralph was very civilly oriented, he still managed to get involved in the thrill of the hunt when boys were chasing after a pig. This scene reflects that no matter how strong human beings’ instinct toward civilization has an underlying nature of savagery, which could be seen when they behind some masks. Beside of hunting pigs, the beast on the island that frightens all the boys stands for the primal instinct of savagery that exists within human being. At the end of the novel, only...

Words: 491 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Who Is The Uncivilized In Lord Of The Flies

...no adults, trying to survive. In the beginning, the boys are well behaved and civilized but become very violent and savage over time. Many critics feel that the main themes of the novel are there is no hope for humankind and that evil is an inborn trait of people. These themes are shown by the boys becoming uncivilized, disobeying rules, and their desire to kill. Golding expresses the themes by showing the unravel of the boys becoming uncivilized. At the end of the novel, Jack’s tribe kills Piggy by rolling a large rock as he “fell forty feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea” (181). They also crush the conch at the same time. When the conch is destroyed and Piggy dies this represents the end of authority and rational thought on the island. This reveals Jack, Roger, and the others savage side, there was no...

Words: 531 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Lord of the Flies

... At the beginning of the novel, Ralph, described as “the boy with fair hair”, and Piggy a whiney, intellectual chubby boy, found a conch shell which was used to call the other boys who were lost on the island to the beach. Among the boys was a choir group led by a boy named Jack. Ralph was soon elected as leader seeing as being the one who called everyone together. Jack was in charge of the choir group to hunt for food. After countless failure of capturing a pig, Jack decided to paint his face with clay to be camouflaged from the pig. He lead the boys and finally killed his first of pig and came back to the group with the pig strapped to a stick and the boys chanting, “ Kill the pig. Cut her throat. Spill her blood!”(69). We can see how excited the boys got from killing a measly pig. Jack describes his experience with Ralph explaining, “ There was lashings of blood...you should have seen it!”(69). Jacks thirst for more blood is an obvious sign of the development of savagery. Later on the boys came to enjoy killing pigs not just for their meat anymore but for the fun of it. “Ralph too was fighting to get near, to get a handful of that brown, vulnerable flesh. The desire to squeeze and hurt was over-mastering. “(114-115). Later in the story, Jack began to rebel against Ralphs group and made his own tribe. He called everyone for a meal at their camp, even Ralph and Piggy...

Words: 760 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Todd

...Todd’s worst fear is that his life has no meaning, and therefore, he has no verse to contribute. For example, after the first day of class, Todd writes “Carpe Diem” on his paper, dreaming of what it would be like if he, too, could contribute a verse and be great like those in the picture. His insecurity gets the better of him, though, and he throws out the paper believing he has nothing to contribute. Later, in class, after being asked to write a poem, Todd tells Keating he never completed the assignment after he spent many hours writing and revising his poem only to have thrown it away before class. This is a prime example of Todd’s struggle between romanticism and realism, where Todd begins dreaming of future possibilities and ways of expressing himself only to have his realistic expectations crash down on him and diminish his thoughts of potential greatness. Keating sees through Todd’s fear and first makes him yawp, and later makes him say whatever comes to mind. This is the beginning of the change in Todd. “I close my eyes and this image floats beside me The sweaty-toothed madman with a stare that pounds my brains His hands reach out and choke me And all the time he’s mumbling Truth, like a blanket that always leaves your feet cold. You push it, stretch it, it will never be enough Kick it beat it, it will never cover any of us. From the moment we enter crying, to the moment we leave dying, it will just cover your face as you wail and cry and scream.” In this...

Words: 610 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Apocalypto

...The movie opened with a quote “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within”-Will Durant. Then the camera focuses on the outskirts of a forest slowly zooming in and introducing us to a group of Mayan villagers chasing a wild boar. This scene is where we are introduced to the main character, Jaguar Paw. Jaguar Paw was the son of the chief of the village. As they are splitting the meat of the pig they caught another tribe wanders by only asking for permission to pass. The presumed leader of that passing tribe warns Jaguar Paw that they are leaving because their campsite was invaded. Jaguar Paw and the Chief noticed the looks fear and terror on their faces. However they push this back in their mind and started to head back to their village. That night they gathered around their elders to hear stories and everything went on without disruption. Next morning, Jaguar Paw and his wife are awakened by a barking dog. Jaguar Paw’s wife tells him to make the dog be quiet. But when the dog stopped barking on its own Jaguar Paw became suspicious of what was going on outside. That is when he sees an invading tribe member with a torch run by. He quickly wakes up his wife and son and they begin to run for cover as the invading tribe kills many men and women. Jaguar Paw takes his wife and son to a dry well and lowers them into it for safety. One of the invading tribesmen sees Jaguar Paw at the top of the cave and begins to charge to try and...

Words: 543 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Accounting

...Summary of the Facts Three Little Pigs, Inc. (PIGS) is trying to determine if they should impair their inventory due to a decline in futures prices. Although prices are declining, it is believed that the futures prices will begin to recover within the year. PIGS inventories consists of the following: live hogs to be internally processed, developing animals to be internally processed, internally processed pork products, live hogs to be sold to a third party, and developing animals to be sold to a third party. The question of impairment applies only to the live hogs and developing animals to be sold to a third party because it is believed that internally processed pork products will be able to cover the costs of live hogs and developing animals to be processed internally. Question: How should the Company determine whether an inventory impairment exists at September 30, 2002? More specifically, how should management evaluate impairment? Response: ASC 330-10-35-2 states that, “in accounting for inventories, a loss shall be recognized whenever the utility of goods is impaired by damage, deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price level, or other causes.” In PIGS case they should recognize a loss because the utility of their live hogs to be sold to a third party and their developing animals to be sold to a third party have suffered from a decrease in price level. When determining whether inventory should be evaluated for impairment under the lower of cost or market method...

Words: 700 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Why Not to Eat Pork

...THE ADVERSE INFLUENCE OF PORK CONSUMPTION ON HEALTH by Professor Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg, M.D. Biological Therapy Vol.1 No. 2 1983 In consideration of wide sections of the population, it appeared strongly advisable to investigate more closely the reasons for the nocuity of pork and to report on the toxic and stress factors contained in pork, i.e. sutoxins. A possibility emerges that everyone can stay healthy by omitting toxic factors (specific pork poisons) from his diet or can regain health by observing a strict ban on pork. The fact that pork causes stress and gives rise to poisoning is known. It is obvious that this does not only apply to preparations of fresh pork such as cold cuts, knuckles, feet, ribs and cutlets, etc., but also to cured meats (ham, bacon, etc.) and to smoked meats prepared for sausages. Consumption of freshly killed pork products causes acute responses, such as inflammations of the appendix and gall bladder, biliary colics, acute intestinal catarrh, gastroenteritis with typhoid and paratyphoid symptoms, as well as acute eczema, carbuncles, sudoriparous abscesses, and others. These symptoms can be observed after consuming sausage meats (including salami which contains pieces of bacon in the form of fat). The consumption of pork is particularly dangerous in the tropical regions. This, for example, is shown in parts of Africa where both the Islamic and Western civilizations live in neighboring territories under the same climatic conditions. The same conditions...

Words: 2632 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Corruption vs. Civilization in Lord of the Flies

...civilized and orderly manner, that find themselves stranded on a deserted island. Fighting for survival, many of the boys surrender to the Beast that engulfs them. Others, like Ralph, find themselves in a much more complex and compromising battle- one that takes place inside the mind. In his novel, Lord of the Flies, William Golding uses the motifs of the pig dance, the conch, and the masks to convey the theme that man becomes a corrupt and savage being without a strict system of order and civilization. By dancing and singing to celebrate the brutal murdering of a pig, the boys enter into a society, or even a cult, surrounded by sadistic and brutal thoughts. The first time the boys perform this ritual, Golding describes their actions as “relieved and excited…making pig-dying noises and shouting” (81). Clearly, the boys feel a rush of exhilaration and excitement when they escape their civilized manner and become a member of this vicious sacrament. These feelings serve only to propel them deeper into this cult, as one can see in their future “pig dances. Later in the novel, Golding describes Ralph’s feelings during the next pig dance, writing that “the desire to squeeze and hurt was overwhelming” (130). Here, it is obvious that even one of the most civilized boys...

Words: 1254 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Mr Pat K

...Three Little Pigs Case I. INTRODUCTION Three Little Pigs, Inc.(PIGS) provides pork products, and sells a quantity of hogs produced to a number of wholesalers, retailers, and third parties across the United States. PIGS has three inventory departments which consist of live hogs ready for sale, developing animals, and processed pork items. Management has concerns about how to evaluate their different levels of inventory, and how they should account for impairment. The issue of impairment relates only to the live hogs and developing animals sold to third parties because management believes the internal pork products will be able to satisfy the cost of live hogs and animals processed internally. II. How should the company determine whether an inventory impairment exists i. Should inventory be evaluated for impairment under the lower of cost or market method on a total inventory basis? According to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ASC 330-10-35-8 (inventory) " Depending on the character and composition of the inventory, the rule of lower of cost or market may properly be applied either directly to each item or to the total of the inventory (or in some cases, the total of the components of each category). The method shall be that which most clearly reflects periodic income." When a firm chooses to value its inventories based on the profitability of one inventory division it makes the assumption that all of the inventory divisions are...

Words: 1139 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Case Memo

...Farmer Joe, CEO, Three Little Pigs, Inc. (PIGS) From: Accounting Consultant Subject: Assessment of Impairment Date: January 1, 2003 I. Facts During this fiscal year, with the capture of the Big Bad Wolf, there is an increase of supply of pork and the market price of pork is on the decline. Although the market price for hogs is forecasted to stabilize within the year, Three Little Pigs, Inc. (PIGS) is dealt with the dilemma of whether they should impair their inventory of hogs, effective September 30, 2002. With three categories of hog inventory (live hogs for sale, developing animals, and processed pork products), PIGS is only considering to impair their inventories of live hogs and developing animals to be sold to third parties at market prices. Concerning processed pork prices, they are believed to be sufficient to cover production costs. II. Issues Management refuses to write off their inventory as they believe future stabilized prices will cover the losses from the previous quarters. However, specific scenarios must be evaluated to decide what the best solution is for PIGS to efficiently report their inventory. The issue is whether impairment should exist at September 30, 2002. If impairment shall exist, the question remains whether the impairment would be evaluated under the lower cost or market method on a total inventory basis, category basis, end product basis, or on an individual basis. If deemed necessary to impair, PIGS will need to determine whether...

Words: 973 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Sacrifice In Lord Of The Flies

...survived or been on the island. Jack had already had a following of choir boys , which he led in two parrallel lines when he heard the sound of the conch. " When his party was about ten yards from the platform he shouted an order and halted, gasping, sweating, swaying in the fierce light." Although, he was later not voted chief, he was recognized as " the most obvious leader" His entrance as well as his following suggest that he is conventional in his actions and proper in his manner. As the novel's plot progresses, Jack throw away his morale. he becomes uninterested in the best interest of the group and begins to undermine the authority of the leader, Ralph. He transforms into a savage with a single, barbaric desire to slaughter a pig. When he hunts alone, he is on all fours, like an animal. As he awakened a sleeping bird "... for a minute became less hunter than a furtive thing, ape-like among the tangle of trees." Demonstrating that his obsession with hunting and killing has turned him into more animal than human. In the final pages of the novel, the boys are found by an officer. By this point, two deaths have occurred and Jack had taken control of the boys , with the expectation of Ralph who they were hunting. The island is in chaos. Jack reverts back into a civilized character, but losses the obvious leadership he had in the beginning. When the officer asked who was in charge, Ralph immediately took responsibility, despite not being in control during the savage...

Words: 551 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

William Golding Lord Of The Flies Quote Analysis

...The butterflies are a symbol for the innocence of the other boys on the island, even though Jack’s tribe has lost their innocence. The imagery of the butterfly gives the image of peace and youth but with the bloody boys and the dead pig the symbol is contrasted. The boys’ once carefree and innocent selves have been permanently changed by murdering the pig and Golding shows how even children can do bad things. Golding also uses the symbol of glasses as power when Jack’s tribe ambushes Ralph’s and leaves, “dangl[ing] Piggy’s broken glasses.” (168). The conch no longer serves as power when chaos ensues, but instead the glasses become the symbol of power because it is the only way to light a fire. Jack’s tribe fears they will never be rescued so they become desperate and steal the glasses in the middle of the night which proves how fear motivates them instead of logic. This rash decision leads to Jack’s boys making more bad choices which lead to more deaths. This shows how even children can do horrible things to get what they...

Words: 729 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Perfect Toast Monologue

...Do not be afraid. Do not be scared. I'm coming for you, to accompany you all night Shall we have a perfect toast? With a bread made out of your flesh And let's drink my blood together, okay? Have you prepared the blades? Oh, I love slitting one's wrist Shall we begin with your right hand? And cut off your veins, down to your sebaceous glands? I wanna penetrate you with my saliva Licking your naked neck Holding your two mountains Insert three digits to your whole And then you moaned loudly You moaned in pleasure, asking for more I thrust, faster than ever I take out my blade which is hidden in the hem of my briefs And placed it at the back of your neck "What's that? O-ohh. So cold. Deeper!" How lucky am I to have someone like you! My...

Words: 288 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Woodchucks Maxine Kumin

...In the poem Woodchucks, written by Maxine Kumin, the speaker talks about the woodchucks inhabiting her backyard and how she wants them gone. The excitement of killing demonstrates the overall tone of the poem reveals the theme of how little it takes to turn a person evil. In the beginning of the poem, the tone describes her annoyance toward the woodchucks that inhabit her backyard. The speaker uses “a knockout bomb” because it seems “merciful, quick at the bone” (2-3). Connotatively “merciful” demonstrates the speaker humanity. Although she tried to do the humane way of killing, the woodchucks “had a sub-sub-basement out of range” (6). By outmaneuvering the speaker, the “woodchucks” escaped living another day. “Next morning they turned up again, no worse” (7) Where is the explanation????. To make matters worse for themselves the woodchucks “brought down the marigolds” and “took over the vegetable patch”(10-11). This really seems to aggravate the speaker because the woodchucks took “food from our mouths”. Although woodchucks seem as a small reason to turn murderous, this translates into the theme of the poem. The speaker tries to justify her killings by making the creatures seem murderous. The woodchucks destroyed her garden by “nipping the broccoli shoots, beheading the carrots” (12). Connotatively the words “nipping” and “beheading” portray the woodchucks as harsh and cruel. In the speaker’s mind, she justifies killing the woodchucks because of the actions they have committed...

Words: 672 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Loss Of Innocence In Lord Of The Flies

...In the novel, Lord of the Flies written by William Golding, british schoolboys are trapped on an unknown island without the guardianship of any adults to push order and discipline. When the young boys first arrive, they are ecstatic about the idea of living without adults, meaning they can do whatever they want. However, the longer they are stranded on the island, the more innocence they get taken from them. For instance, the first time that Jack tried to hunt, he stares at the pig holding a knife over him. Jack couldn't find it in himself to kill the pig which led to it get away. Later in the novel, Jack finds pleasure in the killing’s and even chants “Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!”(Golding 218). Jack chanting this is a symbol of his loss of innocence....

Words: 606 - Pages: 3