AI Practice Knowledge BaseCounterintuitive Facts (11): Why Is the Most Rational Strategy at the Negotiating Table to Make Your Opponent Think You're Insane?
PremiumMadman Theory: Rationality is weakness, madness is a weapon, predictability is a death sentence
I. Imagine two cars speeding toward each other head on. This is called the Game of Chicken. Whoever swerves first is the "chicken" and loses. Whoever dares not to swerve, until the other gives way, wins. If neither swerves? Both die.
II. If you're a rational person. Valuing life, considering the big picture, weighing pros and cons. How does your opponent see you? He'll figure: this guy calculates, he knows if he dies he loses everything, so he'll definitely yield in the end. So he speeds toward you without slowing down. He's betting you'll yield. So you yield. You lose.
III. What if you want to win? You should, while your opponent can see, rip off your steering wheel and throw it out the window. Then laugh and floor the gas pedal.
IV. At this point, your opponent will be terrified.
Sign in to continue reading
This is premium content. Sign in to your account to access the full content.
Counterintuitive Facts (10): You're Sitting in an Office, But Your Body Thinks You're Fleeing Famine
Evolutionary Mismatch: We are primitive humans living in concrete jungles, and every day is biological torture
Counterintuitive Facts (12): Why Would a Group of Smart, Good People Collectively Walk Into Disaster?
The Abilene Paradox: The scariest thing isn't someone wanting to harm you, but everyone being 'too polite to tell the truth'