Science

Uncle Joe

(65,516 posts) Fri Mar 20, 2026, 10:54 AM Mar 20

This Paradox Splits Smart People 50/50

Two boxes, one choice, and $1,000,000.

3 replies

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This Paradox Splits Smart People 50/50 (Original Post) Uncle Joe Mar 20 OP

I'd brick the super computer, take both boxes, and run! hunter Mar 20 #1

Wow this is very good LearnedHand Mar 20 #2

One Box - the chance of getting the $1M is worth more to me than the risk of getting nothing walkingman Mar 20 #3

hunter

(40,852 posts)

1. I'd brick the super computer, take both boxes, and run!

Reply to Uncle Joe (Original post)

Fri Mar 20, 2026, 11:29 AM

Mar 20

LearnedHand

(5,594 posts)

2. Wow this is very good

Reply to Uncle Joe (Original post)

Fri Mar 20, 2026, 11:32 AM

Mar 20

They almost lost me with the free will discussion until that one guy explained it probably doesn’t exist but societies must act as if it does. This makes a ton of sense. Also, I really appreciate their exposing and codifying aspects of decisionmaking. I knew about the Prisoner’s Dilemma, of course, but I didn’t know about Newcomb’s paradox. Thanks!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcomb%27s_problem

EDIT: The film Fail Safe explores the question of will they/won’t they press the MAD button.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058083

walkingman

(11,152 posts)

3. One Box - the chance of getting the $1M is worth more to me than the risk of getting nothing

Reply to Uncle Joe (Original post)

Fri Mar 20, 2026, 11:50 AM

Mar 20

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Uncle Joe

This Paradox Splits Smart People 50/50

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LearnedHand

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