Why is the concept of Prisoner’s Dilemma so intriguing? Maybe because it’s so predictably “random.” By that I mean you can witness its occurrence in groups, both large and small, almost like clockwork as a recurring dynamic in human behavior. However, one never really knows precisely who is going to succumb to the self-defeating mindset. It seems to occur at random. Sometimes the trapped saboteur can even be the most seemingly “rational” person in the group.

How can self-defeat sometimes make so much sense? Why does the wrong decision always tend to appear so right when you’re feeling trapped? Why does the pessimist seem to make better decisions than the optimist at times? Should you trust yourself or trust your friends?

…Humanity as a whole still hasn’t figured this out.