Robert Axelrod (1) (1943–)

This could be 4 stars, but as it wasn't what I was looking for, 3 it is.

First of all, what this is not: this is not a quantitative description or investigation of complex systems, a book about agent-based modeling, etc. That is more what I was looking for and -for me- earned a -1 on the stars.

As far as what the book is: a qualitative description and partial categorization of complex systems and related ideas (e.g. the 4 to alter behaviors/agent choice/rewards in a complex system.) In this way, it is still a good book (and deserving of maybe 3.5 stars, but Goodreads.) If you wanted to start out building quantitative descriptions yourself, these are the qualitative descriptions you would start with.… (mais)

I found this book interesting not so much for the ideas - I am fairly familiar with basic game theory - but for the way it explained how the ideas might be applied. I have always thought game theory is overrated as a discipline, but now I think that's because much of it has forgotten what its purpose is. I think it's most interesting when it is used to delineate the limits of possibility in an interesting strategic situation rather than when it is used to make questionable predictions or unconvincing explanations. These days much of economic game theory seems to have no relation to any strategic situation whatsoever, but just provides an extension of someone else's equally barren idea. This book has certainly inspired me to read more game theory, so I'll have the chance to be proven wrong about that opinion.

As with most non-fiction books, the second half was a bit repetitive and I skimmed through much of it, but the first four chapters were entertaining and engaging.… (mais)