Game Theory in The Hunger Games!

http://www.myhungergames.com/photos-stills-from-the-hunger-games

A couple of weeks ago I finished the first book of the The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. For those of you who don’t know The Hunger Games yet or who refuse to participate in The Hunger Games “hype”, I will first give a short summary. The Hunger Games is about sixteen year old Katniss Aberdeen, who is a “tribute” (contestant) in The Hunger Games, an annual event in which one boy and one girl from each district, between the ages 12 and 18,  are selected to compete in a battle in which only one person can survive. In this blog, I would like to share my thoughts about how game theory is related to the Hunger Games. More specific, I noticed that in the ending scene, Katniss and Peeta face a prisoner's dilemma. In the ending scene, Peeta and Katniss are the only tributes left and one must kill the other to win. However, Katniss doesn't agree with this "one winner rule" and threatens to eat poisonous berries. Since the prisoner's dilemma is such an important concept in Game Theory, I would like to discuss the prisoner dilemma, as depicted in the Hunger Games. As we have learned in lecture, in a prisoners dilemma, two players are presented with two choices: cooperate or defect (or betray). The outcomes will depend not only on whether or not player one cooperates, but whether the other player cooperates as well. In this scenario, the best outcome would be when both Katniss and Peeta would cooperate, but what if one defects and the other cooperates? The table below shows the possible outcomes for both parties (K= Katniss, P= Peeta):

In a prisoner's dilemma it all comes down to a matter of trust. What would Katniss and Peeta decide while the world is watching? Keep reading the book to find out how Katniss and Peeta solve this prisoner's dilemma... or go see the movie :)

Who Needs Lessons: Bubba Watson and his Unusual Path to Victory

For the past 20 years Bubba Watson has been looked at as the most unusual, most interesting golfer of recent memory. For his entire career, Bubba has been criticized for his unusual approach, and almost crazy style of play on the course. In case you do not know much about Bubba I will give you a little background information on his golfing style.

Bubba is known for “never hitting a straight shot,” and “his ridiculously long Tee Ball.” The first of these two might seem crazy to you, but all that means is that Bubba attempts to shape every one his shots instead of just hitting the traditional “straight ball.” Many golf experts have criticized him for this unusual style, but to Bubba’s credit he has stuck to his ways. And we should all be thankful for this, as this weekend Bubba proved to the world that there is no set formula as to how to win on the PGA tour.

Bubba pulled of one of the most remarkable shots in the history of the PGA tour, and his imagination was to thank for that. Most golfers would not even be able to picture the wedge shot that Bubba pulled off on the second hole of the playoff. But Bubba used his incredible creativity, and imagination, to envision “the shot.” He then proceeded to use his talents and incredible guts to pull off the near impossible shot. If you are reading this and thinking what the heck am I talking about, here is a link to the incredible shot that I am talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJQGfbr9MxM

Bubba is the only golfer on tour that has openly talked about the fact that he has never taken a lesson, or even seen his swing on videotape. Other professionals, bring their coaches with them to tournaments, and basically have a lesson everyday of their life. They have seen their swing so many times, that they can basically visualize each part of it without even looking at it.

I think we as golf fans should applaud Bubba for his ability to be a real person, and to truly teach himself the game. For anyone who has ever played the incredibly frustrating and difficult sport of golf, they know how hard it is to teach yourself the game. Many people give up before they ever are able to break 100. This is what makes this so remarkable. Bubba was so persistent and determined, that he figured out all of his kinks, (even though his swing is definitely not something you should practice) and was able to prosper on the PGA tour.

I want to take this time to find out what people think about this incredible accomplishment. Do you think that we as fans should idolize Bubba for never taking a lesson, and figuring out his swing on his own? Or should we applaud him for his victory, but look at this as a fluke event, that future professional golfers should not attempt?

A Review of the Masters

As always, the Masters did not fail to disappoint. Leading up to the tournament all of the discussion was about the re-emergence of Tiger Woods, and whether or not Rory Mcilroy could overcome his woes of last year and compete for his first ever Masters victory. But as many golf fans have come to realize, the only thing predictable about golf is the unpredictability.
The first three days were incredible, as the leader board was filled with an array of well-known golfers, as well as lesser known players. Going into the final round there were twenty plus golfers with a reasonable chance of catching the leader (Peter Hanson). As the fourth and final round transpired there were many incredible moments, and in the end there was a tie after 72 holes allotted to the tournament. Bubba Watson, a true "All-American," was tied with a former British Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen, and a sudden death playoff was set to begin.
Due to the nature of a sudden death playoff, everyone was on the edge of their seats as they watched these two emerging starts battle for the "Green Jacket." Then it happened. After "shanking" his drive into the woods, Bubba Watson did the unthinkable. After Oosthuizen had already played his second shot, Bubba was left with a decision. "Do I play safe and trust my wedge, or do I attempt the near impossible shot." For those of you who follow golf and Bubba, you know this was a no brainer for him. Bubba proceeded to hit a 40 plus hard hook out of the trees, through the spectators, over the camera man, and onto the green 15 feet away from the pin.
Not only was Bubba able to hook his 54 degree wedge 40 plus yards, but he was able to control the distance perfectly, which is near impossible from the pine needles. Bubba proceeded to two-putt to victory, completing one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory.
Overall, this masters was an incredible display of an array of golfers, and gave us great insight as to what the future of the PGA holds for us fans. Now I wonder...

Are people going to look at this Masters as an incredible sporting event like I saw it? Or are people going to think about it as the tournament that Tiger and Rory failed to show up for? What do you think?

Monkey Ball...what a game...

Monkey ball is what comes to mind when I think back to growing up. Being at friends houses for sleepovers, competing each time at a somewhat stupid game. However, as I've gotten older and have become familiar with more intense, better made games...monkey ball is still my all time favorite. Something about the ability to make yourself balance, flip, roll, and perform these crazy moves was always invigorating. It was so competitive, which is kind of funny being that the goal was to roll your monkey along paths. Although looking back on it, it was dumb, it was and is the only video game I have ever been competitive with. My friends from middle school and high school who were not interested in video games at all, found this bizarre competitiveness within it. Was it the familiarization of the different monkeys? Our attachment to it? Or was it one of the only video games that didn't have a male aura around it?

Why I'm Excited about Prince Fielder

    Ever since the Detroit Tigers Signed Prince Fielder to a 9 year 214 million dollar contract there have been a lot of skeptics saying that the contract is too big. They have valid reasons to back up this arguments the biggest one being his weight. Prince is about 6 feet tall and weights 285 pounds. Many people think he wont stay in decent enough shape to play baseball for 9 more years. Others said by signing Prince the Tigers defense gets much worse because they have to move Miguel Cabrera to third and it would be safe to say he is a sub par third baseman. However I am extremely excited about Prince Fielder playing in a Tigers uniform.
    Its easy to get excited just by looking at his career statistics. His career batting average is above 280. He usually hits well over 30 home runs a year as well as over 100 RBIs. These are incredible numbers and the best part about it is the Tigers have two guys on their team who can put up these numbers. With Cabrera and Fielder hitting back to back in the middle of the Tigers order things get very scary for opposing pitchers. I can also guess no one is happier than Cabrera who wont be intentionally walked nearly as much with Prince standing in the batters box.
    Now not only are Prince's stats amazing, but I love his enthusiasm on the field. Last year Prince's former team became famous for their Beast Mode move and Prince seemed to be the center of this excitement. For those of you that don't know what this move is here is a picture of Prince back in Milwaukee.
  
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   Now as many of you may know baseball can be dull and it is great for fans to have someone who provides some excitement. Miguel Cabrera is also great at having fun on the field always seen messing around with other guys on the field.  I think this is great for team moral and gets all the players more excited to play. I saw this part of Prince's personality already in a Tigers uniform when he was one of the first ones on the field to celebrate with Austin Jackson after his game winning hit today.
    I can't wait to see the Success the Tigers will have with Prince Fielder on the field. I have to admit I am a bit worried about his health in the last few years of the contract, but I know we have a great player for at least the next 6 years. For the time being I don't think the move could have been better for the Tigers and I can't wait to watch these two play together this season.

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Know the Rules to break them?...or not

For generations artists have been learning the proper ways to execute their artwork. From brush strokes, to their lack of finger smudges, artists have been taught “rules” in order to make them skilled in their profession. However as society has changed and the ability to express oneself has become more prevalent, artists struggle. There is a tug of war that now occurs between trying to be a classic aesthetically pleasing artist and being an artist that catches ons eye by being outspoken and essentially risky. This is where the game begins. Being in the school of Art and Design, I am constantly hearing “You need to know the rules to break the rules.” However doing this is more difficult than it seems. Students are trying to be risky, trying to not draw as “beautiful”, yet as a result teachers scold our attempts. One would think if they were trying to teach us and help us in the future they would want us to step out of the box, and although they say they do, they don’t. Students are put in the constant struggle of making art for the teacher, for that particular assignment or deciding to take the risk and make art that means something. It becomes a game, and a hard one. We need to trust our own judgement to do the right thing, knowing that more times than others, we are going to be shut down. However, that one in a million chance we happen to get it right, we are excessively praised. It raises the question, if we already know the rules, why can't we break them?

March Madness: Upsets

    A few weeks ago in class we had some mini debates about NCAA basketballs March Madness. We talked about many different topics that relate to the tournament; from a basketball and cultural aspect. I found many of the debates were very interesting and everyone in class did a good job coming up with great arguments. One debate topic that really interests me is whether or not the NCAA tourney is the best way to pick a champion. Some complained that it is new easy with the current tournament set-up for a good team to get upset and that it should possibly be changed to a series set-up where a team has to win two out of three or three out of five games to advance. The opposition for this debate had a good debate about why the system is good the way it is, but I would like to make my own since it is a subject that very much interests me. 

    Some people were upset this year when there were some major upsets in the first round of the NCAA tournament; most notably 15 seed Norfolk State defeating Missouri and 15 seed Lehigh beating Duke. I for one do not understand how someone could be upset with such entertaining events. What else could someone ask for in such a great tournament. We all got to see two huge underdogs win in the national spotlight. This was probably the first time both of the teams had played on National TV all year and they got to show what they were made of. 

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     The tournament gives teams like these a great opportunity to show off all their hard work from the season. It also puts the Madness in March Madness. These are the stories everyone will remember. When looking back on this years tournament a few years from now nobody will remember the 15 seeds that Ohio St and Kansas defeated in the first round. However almost all college basketball fans will remember Lehigh and Norfolk State. Much like people remember Northern Iowas sweet 16 run in 2010 as a 9 seed. Or George Masons final four run as an 11 seed in 2006. These memorable moments are what give us great stories and images like this...

http://media.northjersey.com/images/NorfolkState.jpg

    Its these images that we all love to see. This is Kyle O Quinn shortly after Norfolk State beat Missouri. Who cant love a reaction like this? Anyway fans love these stories and this is what makes the NCAA tourney special, guys playing on a stage they have only dreamed about playing on and beating Goliath. Even if there are major upsets the best team always comes through and wins the tournament in the long run. If you still think this is not the right set-up to crown a champion because of the chance of upset well I think we can both agree its still way better than the BCS....