Cartoon of the Day: The Prisoner's Dilemma

Source: Slate

The Prisoner's Dilemma constitutes a problem in game theory. In its "classical" form, the prisoner's dilemma (PD) is presented as follows: 

Two suspects are arrested by the police. The police have insufficient evidence for a conviction, and, having separated both prisoners, visit each of them to offer the same deal. If one testifies ("defects") for the prosecution against the other and the other remains silent, the betrayer goes free and the silent accomplice receives the full 10-year sentence. If both remain silent, both prisoners are sentenced to only six months in jail for a minor charge. If each betrays the other, each receives a five-year sentence. Each prisoner must choose to betray the other or to remain silent. Each one is assured that the other would not know about the betrayal before the end of the investigation. How should the prisoners act? (Source: Wikipedia)

Commentary: The cartoon represents a modified version of the prisoner's dilemma. The best (or least bad) course of action for both parties (the man and everyone else) is to start spending again. However, no-one else follows the man's lead, so he ends up in the street. As with the prisoner's dilemma, both parties benefit only if they are prepared to put aside personal interest and act selflessly. Unfortunately, it tends to be every man for himself.