Utility as it relates to poker players

[DanS]

I was just wondering what poker players thought of this...

Forgive me if I'm using the word 'utility' incorrectly, it's been a while since I've dealt with econ.

Basically, what matters more... your well-being or the world's?

Dan

[SossMan]

i chose nuetral just to F with your poll...it's a little deep for a monday

[DanS]

[ QUOTE ]
i chose nuetral just to F with your poll...it's a little deep for a monday

[/ QUOTE ]

Shut up and get back to work! /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Dan

[DanS]

Bump one time. Someone say something, dammit.

Dan

[stabn]

This post makes me want a nap. Snoooore.

[BusterStacks]

for me you have to consider expected return. I expect a far greater return using my abilities and resources for myself than for society. A person could work their whole life trying to better the world, and not even dent a fraction of society's problems. Work your whole life for yourself however, and you can see results. The big stuff that I feel strongly for is in the hands of politicians and corporations, I can only worry about me. And so I do.

[DanS]

[ QUOTE ]
This post makes me want a nap. Snoooore.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lol, nice. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

You could make the argument that you're helping society by not participating in a negative sum activity while you nap, though.

[ThaSaltCracka]

Que?

[GuyOnTilt]

Que?

Alt+0191. That's like the only one I actually know. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

GoT

[stabn]

You could also argue i could be helping society since i'm at work right now, and have better things to do with my time than sleep. But i don't care, i'm napping /images/graemlins/smile.gif.

[ThaSaltCracka]

[ QUOTE ]
Que?

Alt+0191. That's like the only one I actually know. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

GoT

[/ QUOTE ]

Hehe, thats one more than me.

[DanS]

One more bump

[CrazyEyez]

F-ing the other guys and looking out for number 1 leads to the highest utility for society.

[ZeeJustin]

[ QUOTE ]
F-ing the other guys and looking out for number 1 leads to the highest utility for society.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice theory. It's too bad there's no evidence to back this up with. Of course, that's probably because it's not true at all.

[fnord_too]

so far only one other person besides me puts society frist ...

[CrazyEyez]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
F-ing the other guys and looking out for number 1 leads to the highest utility for society.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice theory. It's too bad there's no evidence to back this up with. Of course, that's probably because it's not true at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nothing except capitalism. And it's not like it's my own little theory. A couple few famous economists might have theorized it before I.

[DanS]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
F-ing the other guys and looking out for number 1 leads to the highest utility for society.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice theory. It's too bad there's no evidence to back this up with. Of course, that's probably because it's not true at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nothing except capitalism. And it's not like it's my own little theory. A couple few famous economists might have theorized it before I.

[/ QUOTE ]

Duhh, I feel like a 'tard for not thinking about this as a way to reconcile the two. If I bust ass to achieve for myself, greater society's utility is maximized.

So, the question is: Does anyone get screwed (theoretical speaking by an individual's success other than the person's direct competition (poker, business, whatever)?

Dan

[jakethebake]

[ QUOTE ]
i chose nuetral just to F with your poll...it's a little deep for a monday

[/ QUOTE ]
It's a little stupid for any day of the week. I can't believe people are actually voting in this.

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
F-ing the other guys and looking out for number 1 leads to the highest utility for society.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice theory. It's too bad there's no evidence to back this up with. Of course, that's probably because it's not true at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nothing except capitalism. And it's not like it's my own little theory. A couple few famous economists might have theorized it before I.

[/ QUOTE ]

Famous economists have theorized just the opposite, too. We are very far from maximum societal utility in this country. One major problem with your theory is that often maximizing ones personal utility is done at the sake of system utility. For many decisions, there is a marginal (using marginal in the economic context, that is, unit) increase in utility for individuals in the system, but all individuals end up with lower utility due to everyone making the choice with that is better from their micro perspective. (Think Prisoners Dilemma on a grander scale. It really does come up in a lot of places).

You really don't have to look hard to see businessess making decisions that are bad for society just to line their own pockets. You can argue that these decisions are not in fact maximizing their long term utility, but the fact is that they THINK they are.

If you want some examples consider:
The colonization of world (I think 1/3 of the earths population was STILL in colonized regions at the end of WWII.)
The tabacco industry
The oil industry
The meat packing industry
Really, look at any industry with a lobby, which is most if not all of them, and you will see some grossly non optimal practices and strategies from societal utility (not to mention from company utility, but that's another story).

[ThaSaltCracka]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i chose nuetral just to F with your poll...it's a little deep for a monday

[/ QUOTE ]
It's a little stupid for any day of the week. I can't believe people are actually voting in this.

[/ QUOTE ]
I have looked at this thread four times and still haven't voted.