Book · 1984 · Games of strategy (Mathematics)
The evolution of cooperation
- mentions
- 7
- people
- 3
- podcasts
- 2
- episodes
- 4
- recommendation
- 1
I read your book in college and it was one of the few things I ever read for class that blew my mind.
Steve Levitt · People I (Mostly) Admire · Jan 2023 Listen at 2:19 What they say about it
- Read in college“read your book in college”2
- Discussed game theory“amazing book on game theory”2
The best things said about it
It is this amazing book on game theory.
Steve Levitt People I (Mostly) Admire · Jan 2023 From a game theory perspective, I was always a fan of Robert Axelrod's work around the evolution of cooperation.
The only reason I even read the book was that it was a signed reading for an economics course I was taking and I was a diligent student.
Steve Levitt People I (Mostly) Admire · Jan 2023 Your book was an inspiration.
Steve Levitt People I (Mostly) Admire · Jan 2023 Why people recommend it
The Evolution of Cooperation by Robert M. Axelrod is a foundational game theory text that explores how cooperation can emerge and thrive even in competitive environments without central authority. Steve Levitt recommended the book on People I (Mostly) Admire, recalling how it was assigned reading in his college economics course and remains one of the few texts that genuinely blew his mind. Yul Kwon also brought up Robert Axelrod's work on the same podcast to explain the strategic game theory approach he famously utilized during his time on Survivor. Furthermore, Steve Levitt hosted Axelrod on a dedicated episode of his show, where they discussed the origins of the book, its surprising crossover into cancer research, and real-world anecdotes from readers—such as a soldier in Iraq—who used its principles to navigate hostile situations without making the first hostile move. Omer Moav briefly touched upon related economic concepts during an episode of EconTalk. Across these discussions, the book is repeatedly lauded for transforming abstract mathematical concepts into practical, enduring strategies for human interaction, proving that being nice, forgiving, and provokable can yield the most successful long-term outcomes in complex social and geopolitical landscapes.
Every mention
Steve Levitt the first one is a book called The Evolution of cooperation by Robert Axelrod and it is this amazing book o… 5
“the first one is a book called The Evolution of cooperation by Robert Axelrod and it is this amazing book on Game Theory”
“years since I first read a book called The Evolution of cooperation by Robert Axelrod the only reason I even read the book was that it was a signed reading for an economics course I was taking and I was a diligent student”
“and let me just say I read your book in college and it was one of the few things I ever read for class that blew my mind”
“so we've talked a lot about the evolution of cooperation you've also looked at cancer”
“one example was a soldier from Iraq who said that he realized that you shouldn't be the first to defect and often they would be approaching a village and they didn't know if the village was hostile or not... and so your book was an inspiration I got a much better settlement than I otherwise would”
Omer Moav also published in his 93 book a article is is just a roving Bandits turning stationary 1
“also published in his 93 book a article is is just a roving Bandits turning stationary”
Yul Kwon So from a game theory perspective, I was always a fan of Robert Axelrod's work around the evolution of coop… 1
“So from a game theory perspective, I was always a fan of Robert Axelrod's work around the evolution of cooperation.”
