Game theory roundup (2/10/09)

My apologies as I didn’t have time to write my usual game theory column. I hope to return to full speed by next week.

In the meantime, I’ve been reading a lot of game theory articles and I’ve assembled a four of my favorites. Hope you find them as enjoyable as I have.

1. Scientists prove that younger siblings get less discipline (Newsweek)

It’s considered a “fact” of sibling relations: the baby of the family always gets away with murder. If the oldest brother had a curfew of 11 p.m. on weekends, his baby sister just has to call if she’s staying out all night. But can it be proven that parents are always stricter with their first born?

Researchers from the University of Maryland, Duke University and The Johns Hopkins University say yes, if there are younger siblings in the family, out of concern for the example that is being set for them.

2. Online retailers play pricing games (cnet)

Think you’ve found the lowest price online? Better double check.

That’s the advice of economists who research why a plethora of online price comparison systems haven’t succeeded in leveling prices on the Internet.

…There is still considerable price dispersion online.

And the prices don’t just fluctuate from merchant to merchant–they can vary from day to day on the same site.

3. The eligible-bachelor paradox (Slate)

The problem of the eligible bachelor is one of the great riddles of social life. Shouldn’t there be about as many highly eligible and appealing men as there are attractive, eligible women?

Actually, no—and here’s why.

4. Why the NFL should replace the overtime coin toss with an auction system (Slate)

If the Super Bowl goes into overtime for the first time ever, it’s fairly certain who will be victorious: the team that wins the coin toss…Since 2002, the team that’s gotten the toss has won more than 60 percent of overtime games…

With a little ingenuity, there is a way for overtime to be both fair and fast.

5. Bonus: a few articles from the game theory archive

I’ve been getting a few requests from new visitors who are interested in reading more from game theory archive (which now has 80+ articles) but would like my guidance on worthwhile topics. This serves as a good opportunity to highlight some of the “hidden gems”–good articles that were published before the game theory column took off in popularity. Here are a few of them:

–The game theory of surprises

What is a surprise? How is it possible to surprise people who think ahead? Can you keep surprising people?

–Game theory and airport security

A brief discussion of ARMOR, a security system used at LAX airport to combat terrorism using game theory research from the University of Southern California.

–The Shapley-Shubik index: one way to measure voting power

Voting rules can often create mind-boggling strategic considerations. This article discusses voting power in the Israeli Supreme court and how a proposed rule change is less useful than it sounds.

–Heart disease and used cars

Why are so many people on cholesterol lowering medications? Perhaps it is because the market for medical advice is similar to the market for used cars.