The Tragedy of the Commoner

The Prisoner’s Dilemma is one of game theory’s all-time great puzzles. It goes like this: Two men are taken into custody for a crime. The cops have a little evidence, enough to put both men away for a few years, but if they had more to go on, the punishment could be a lot more severe. The two men in the holding cell know the cops won’t have much if they both keep quiet. All the crooks have to do is not turn on each other to both get off with a light sentence. However, the crooks also know the first one to turn the other in will get a slap on the wrist while the other criminal is put away for good. If they keep quiet while the other one rats them out, it’ll be them in the pen for life. The temptation to be the first to confess is strong. But here’s the kicker: if both men confess, they both get a harsh sentence. The best scenario for either crook here is to rat the other out while HOPING their partner is an idiot and stays mum. You don’t serve any time at all. But if you both do this,…