Dark Matters

Speaking just now at a conference on the evolution of society, Partha Dasgupta said:

The study of trust and cooperation has been influenced too much by the repeated Prisoners’ Dilemma game. But social environments involving the production of public goods and the use of common property resources do not lead to the Prisoners’ Dilemma. They are far worse: outcomes there can involve exploitation of some members by others.

To cheer us up, Bob May will interrupt proceedings with Obama's inauguration speech.