Best Non Zero Sum James Podcasts (2025)

1
We Don't Just Let People Die ~ so what next? 15:57

Play Pause

2h ago15:57

15:57

A lot of politics out in the world appears to me at any rate to be based around a sort of kill-or-be-killed mentality, is if we live an the wild, and need to let nature sort the strong from the weak... but that's not the actual world we live in, so that political mentality is... well, nonsense. A rambling stream of consciousness about what to do in…

1
Looking to the Future ~ a simple recycling idea: part 3 7:30

4d ago7:30

7:30

Let's take a look through our crystal ball at Glass Bottle Utopia. What are the problems, and who's solving them? | For the original article, links and pictures visit: https://nonzerosum.games/betterrecycling3.html

1
Putting it on Plastic 4:39

8d ago4:39

4:39

In part 2 of our series on recycling we look into the problems with plastic recycling and the importance of disincentivising the use of plastics. | For the original article, including useful links and references visit: https://nonzerosum.games/betterrecycling2.html

1
8 Bottles ~ a Simple Recycling Idea 2:53

12d ago2:53

2:53

This series of 3 episodes are about recycling, and specifically an idea I'd like to put forward as a workable solution for governments, business and the environment—8 different standard-sized glass bottles and jars. | For illustrations and sources visit the original page: https://nonzerosum.games/betterrecycling.html…

1
Negative Moral Licensing ~ the even eviler twin 5:52

1M ago5:52

5:52

Moral licensing is a well researched and understood phenomenon—I'm proposing something slightly different: negative moral licensing, where, instead of using our previous good actions to justify misbehaviour, we use the real or perceived misbehaviour of others to license ours. | https://nonzerosum.games/morallicensing2.html…

1
Moral Licensing ~ the makings of a very Negative-Sum Game 5:16

1M ago5:16

5:16

Moral licensing is when you use previous virtuous actions to justify less than virtuous behaviour next... There are lots of studies referenced in this episode, you can find links to them all in the text of the original post. Have fun exploring the links, and of course all the pictures. | Original Post: https://nonzerosum.games/morallicensing1.html…

1
A Positive Double Standard 14:31

2M ago14:31

14:31

I have a confession: As a teenager I was desperate to learn how to win friends and influence people, to think and grow rich and develop the habits of highly effective people (seven to be precise)—I am James and I am a self-help-oholic. | Find the original blog + links here: https://nonzerosum.games/positivedoublestandard.html | If you'd like to che…

1
A Kindness Equation 5:20

2M ago5:20

5:20

This week we ask the question: what's more effective, charity or volunteering? The answer, is, as always more complicated than that. If you're thinking about how you can best spend your efforts in making the world a better place, this is the episode for you. | The original post and links are here: https://nonzerosum.games/kindnessequation.html…

1
Capitalism ~ a Zero-Sum Game? 7:49

2M ago7:49

7:49

This episode we look objectively at the question "is capitalism a zero sum game?" the answer might be surprising. | For the original post and links: https://nonzerosum.games/capitalism.html

1
Evil Globalisation ~ and how it's Eliminating Global Poverty 5:43

2M ago5:43

5:43

On globalisation, and how it might just surprise you. | For the original post and links: https://nonzerosum.games/globalisation.html

1
Relative Gains ~ How not to Measure Success 7:55

2M ago7:55

7:55

We join Diderot, a very bright man made a fool by circumstance, to introduce an essential idea in understanding economics and non-zero-sum games—the issue of relative vs absolute gains. | For the original post, including links and references visit: https://nonzerosum.games/absolutevsrelative.html

1
Diminishing Returns ~ On Happiness 8:02

2M ago8:02

8:02

Ever noticed that the first slice of pizza is always the best and each slice afterwards never quite matches up? Well, welcome to The Law of Diminishing Returns. | For links and more info: https://nonzerosum.games/diminishingreturns.html

1
Movie Night 5:51

2M ago5:51

5:51

Every Friday our family settles in for family movie night—it's the highlight of the week, especially for the person who's "turn" it is—my wife, daughter and I take turns sharing a movie we love. Our eventual decision to take turns reflects the conclusions of game theory's... The Battle of the Sexes. | To continue exploring check out the main page: …

1
Arusha Perpetual Chicken 8:37

2M ago8:37

8:37

Inspired by a recent trip to Tanzania, I couldn't help see game theory in action. | For links and pics: https://nonzerosum.games/chicken.html

1
The Ultimatum Game 3:35

2M ago3:35

3:35

Take-it-or-leave-it. In this game, you are given $10. To keep the money, you have to give a portion of this $10 away to another player. If we take the contained, rational and self-interested assumptions of game theory, the dominant strategy is simple: give the other player as little as possible. The catch is, if the other player rejects your offer,…

1
Social Dilemmas 6:05

3M ago6:05

6:05

Dealing with public goods, free riders and exploitation. | For links, pics and to join the discussion: https://nonzerosum.games/socialdilemmas.html

1
The Stag Hunt 5:35

3M ago5:35

5:35

Two hunters can cooperate to catch a stag (a difficult but highly rewarding prize) or each can safely hunt a hare (a lower-value but guaranteed meal). | For links and images visit the page: https://nonzerosum.games/staghunt.html

1
The Dilemma's Dilemma 12:52

3M ago12:52

12:52

We've considered how the Prisoner's Dilemma reveals a number of key concepts in game theory. Yet, I have some reservations that it is the field's best advocate for applying game theory in the real world. This episode will outline the problems with using the Prisoner's Dilemma as our go-to scenario. | For illustrations and links, check out the origi…

1
The Prisoner's Dilemma ~ a Problematic Poster Child 4:42

3M ago4:42

4:42

The Prisoner's Dilemma is the go-to example for game theory noobs and experts alike. It's a non-zero-sum game that introduces payoff matrices, it has a Nash Equilibrium that is not also Pareto Efficient (helping to distinguish between the two) and when taken further, we discover that strategies change with iterated games. It's got it all! Or does i…

1
It's Subjective 12:14

3M ago12:14

12:14

It is high time I confront a phrase that is a major obstacle to moral dialogue; the refrain... well, it's subjective. In this episode I make a case for the tractability of moral values. | The original post, with links can be visited here: https://nonzerosum.games/itssubjective.html | The post references consequentialist ethics, in particular Utilit…

1
Costless Kindness 6:32

3M ago6:32

6:32

A Pareto efficient scenario is one where no one involved can change strategies without negatively impacting at least one player. It's a lens through which we can re-examine societal norms, interactions, and even our daily choices. While not a silver bullet for the complexities of fairness or social justice, it serves as a useful starting point for …

1
The Real Reason You Stop at a Red 8:34

3M ago8:34

8:34

Nash Equilibrium as one of the key features to get to grips with in the field of game theory, it crops up everywhere. So, here are some simple examples and real world applications that you already take part in. | Read more about the Toastmasters Payoff: https://nonzerosum.games/confidence.html | We mention other classic scenarios, which you can che…

1
Why Game Theory? 5:56

3M ago5:56

5:56

Non-Zero-Sum games are just one aspect of the wider field of Game Theory; a fascinating field of mathematics that deals with models of conflict and cooperation among rational decision-makers. In this episode we familiarise ourselves with some of the key elements of game theory so we're primed for understanding. | This episode is based on our game t…

1
Liv Boeree ~ Non-Zero Hero 4:44

3M ago4:44

4:44

Game theorist Liv Boeree describes herself as pathologically competitive and indeed, her life has been about "winning" in many ways. Introducing our first Non-Zero Hero, part of a series people out on the front lines preaching the gospel of non-zero-sum games. Liv is responsible for introducing me to Moloch. | Liv Won The European Poker Tour: https…

1
Unlocking Solutions 10:44

3M ago10:44

10:44

Coordination Problems are situations in Game Theory where coordinated solutions are required to solve complex problems, like those we've explored with Moloch—where we end up complicit in our own downfall. And we'll be exploring this through a story about one of my many childhood mishaps. | To read the original post visit: https://nonzerosum.games/u…

1
Moloch's Demise ~ Solving the Original Problem 4:12

4M ago4:12

4:12

I mentioned in Who is Moloch? that the Canaanites were acting rationally by offering the occasional child for sacrifice, but that's not entirely true. We can actually find an optimal strategy through using some Game Theory! | To read the whole series visit: https://nonzerosum.games/map-moloch.html

1
4 Ways Moloch is Ruining Your Life 5:40

4M ago5:40

5:40

Molochian systems—they're insidious, they're ubiquitous, and they're messing with your life in ways you might not even realise. Today, we're diving into four key examples of these pesky systems that can turn self-interest into a collective nightmare: Listicles, Bargain Hunting, Tax Havens, and Late-Stage Capitalism. | Yuval Noah Harari on Gossip: h…

1
Who is Moloch? 8:22

4M ago8:22

8:22

Moloch is a metaphor describing systems where individual rational decisions lead to collectively bad outcomes. This series explores how Moloch manifests, why it’s so hard to break free, and what strategies might help us escape these traps. | Links: | Read the illustrated post here: https://nonzerosum.games/whoismoloch.html | Liv Boeree's Beauty war…

1
What are Non-Zero-Sum Games? 5:55

4M ago5:55

5:55

From the genetic lottery we're thrown into at birth, to the educational opportunities we navigate, the jobs we compete for, and the relationships we cultivate—every stage in life is marked by wins and losses, strategies and tactics, alliances, and competition. But not all games are zero-sum showdowns. To understand non-zero-sumness it helps to cons…

1
Non-Zero-Sum James 5:49

4M ago5:49

5:49

First episode, a bit about who, why and what. Read more at https://nonzerosum.games | Links: Modelling (a very old blog about my very short lived modelling “career”) https://prefrontallobotomy.blogspot.com/2009/06/im-model-you-know-what-i-mean.html Relative Value (if you just can’t wait for the podcast episode, you can read more here) https://nonze…