Ahead of time Quote by Jeffery Deaver
““But game theory only works when the rules are clearly set out ahead of time. In the Nash bargaining game here, neither of the players was aware of another rule presently at work: that what they were bargaining over—me—might be a player in the game too. As””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Bone Collector, 1997, Jeffery Deaver (fictional dialogue)
Game theory assumes all participants know the rules; hidden rules or unknown players can invalidate predictions and outcomes.
In simple terms: Hidden rules break game theory assumptions.
Key Takeaway
Identify all participants and rules before negotiating.
Themes
game theory
negotiation
rules
information asymmetry
strategy
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
philosophical
strategic
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- legal settlements
- diplomatic talks
Key Concepts
rational choice
incomplete information
strategic interaction
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps reveal hidden rules?
- How to adapt when unknown factors appear?
A Different Perspective
May be impractical to uncover all hidden variables.
