.....It's my understanding of rational game theory, that anytime one ends up in a Mexican Standoff(Two people with Guns to each other's temples- figuratively; or literally) whoever shots first wins. The only rational action is to always launch a pre-emptive strike the instant you realize that it's possible. If you don't; and the othe dude realises his vulnerability; his best course is to try a pre-emptive sucker punch; before you realise that you have him at a disadvantage.
.....The only reason that standoffs can sometimes be settled without violence; is only because sometimes both sides steadfastly refuse to act with cold unemotional logic.
.....That was one of the problems with Larry Nivens' PAK. Once a PAK spotted a vulnerability- whether in an enemy; or ally; the decision whether to attack or not, was no longer under his concious control. He
HAD to play the highest odds strategy.
.....I envisioned some using the drug to plot super-heists; and although the state might mistrust the idea of having beaucoup super-geniuses around; super crooks would require super Cops.
.....Also, a mathematician seldom comes up with a truly radical theoretical breakthrough- no matter how arcane- that doesn't turn out to be just the numerical tool someone drastically needed for some practical application.
.....With every would-be numbers geek in the world, who could afford enough drug to go on a six week binge; able to turn out a body of advanced mathematical work during that six weeks; equal in volume and quality with what the most gifted geniuses with PHDs generally contribute in a lifetime- and with beaucoup chemically adhanced engineers; programmers; scientists; etc.- watching the math tree; and impatiently waiting the next fruit to drop...
.....RVM45
