Network Game Theory

This video discusses evolutionary game theory and network games. The traditional understanding of evolution as being based on competition is incomplete, as cooperation also plays a significant role in it. Evolution creates networks of cooperation, which are able to intercept resources more effectively due to coordinated effort. In such networks, an individual’s capacity for cooperation becomes the primary determinant of their payoff. Social networks significantly influence various lifestyle and health factors, such as obesity and happiness. The spatial distribution of co-operators is crucial for the evolution of cooperation. This concept is demonstrated by a study conducted by Christakis and Fowler in Tanzania, which measured the social ties and cooperation within the communities of the Hadza people, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer populations on the planet. The study found that social networks play a crucial role in the evolution of cooperation.