From Guy Cox
Daniel Cossins, writing about game theory (12 December 2015, p 36), describes a game of chicken in which the first car to turn away from a potential collision loses. The article suggests that throwing your steering wheel out of the window guarantees you a win – but the choice matrix left out the possibility that the other player does the same thing.
At this point things look dire. But there is another factor to be considered. Back in 1972 I was exploring an English village – in a fast car, but strictly on the correct side of the road. Coming towards me in the middle of the road was the elderly village vicar. He put his hands together in a position of prayer, taking both off his steering wheel.
His car swerved to his side of the road and there was no collision. I don’t know how you put that into the choice matrix.
Sydney, Australia
