An Introduction to Harrison’s Applied Game Theory (HAGT)
How to master manifestation, and predictive forecasting, through strategic, and tactical thinking
In 2001, I was introduced to the concept of game theory, and it changed my life.
It began with the movie, A Beautiful Mind.
When I saw this movie, about the life of John Nash, a pioneer in game theory, my perspective on life changed radically. Before this, I was pretty much like everybody else. Waking up, going to my day, trying to stay positive, dealing with the negatives of life, and more. My world involved, people, places, and things, in various random mixes.
One thing was clear, often life was all too complex, and overwhelming for me to deal with, on any common sense level. Globalization, supply chains, government regulations, cognitive biases, stress, AI, and in recent times, everyone tweeting, seemingly all the time. The world seemed pretty much out of my control.
Being introduced to John Von Neumann’s ideas on game theory was a real wake-up call. Some ice water splashed on my face, a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, and a Zen moment combined.
Game theory, an idea that had won many economists and social scientists, over a dozen Noble Prizes, showed me that life really is a game, and that game can be won.
Of course there are certain aspects of life that one cannot really strategize as a game - Things like love, kindness, creativity, compassion, empathy, beauty, wisdom, grace, gratitude, spiritual surrender, and even patience.
Yet, seemingly, in most other domains of human activity; marriage, business, politics, personal finance, competition, conflict, social relations, government, or A.I., game theory could help me succeed consistantly, and needed to be applied.
As in any sport, or in any video or board game, one would only need to figure out what one’s end game is, what one’s intention is, and then allow a process to unfold where, with careful observation, regular tweeking, and skilled strategic and tactical thinking, one might learn to maximize one’s potential at the lowest possible cost — In other words, how to win the game of life.
This way of thinking was an absolute revelation to me.
Now, three decades after spending ten bucks to see a Ron Howard biographical drama, about a mentally and emotionally challenged mathematical genius (John Nash) I am teaching my personal take on game theory, called Harrison’s Applied Game Theory. I have published a book on the subject of the same name, and create over twenty stories per week on game theory, and strategies and tactics influenced by game theory. I passionately, almost to the point of obsession (almost!), post them at LewisCoaches.Medium.com, at AskLewis.Substack.com, and throughout the social media universe.
I have the time to do this, because I don’t need an ordinary job. HAGT has given me complete financial freedom, and as a side hobby, I am deeply involved with philanthropic projects of all types.
As a way of giving back, “paying it forward”, I also teach seminars all over the world, on strategic thinking through game theory, and also offer very low-cost courses, coaching, and mentoring on the subject.
Ultimately, what I teach people, is a method for getting some control over their lives. To helo them to be more Practical, Effective, Efficient, Productive, Precise, Accurate, and Self aware — PEEPPASA — in all the things that they do.
I look at this all through the prism of 12 step “Anonymous” programs (No I’m not in recovery from anything other than my own emotional baggage). This is how I frame it.
1. Humans are hard-wired (addicted) to suffering and struggle born of the ego, early emotional trauma, and from various cognitive biases, and logical fallacies.
2. To apply game theory we need to admit that we cannot control many of the people, places, and things in life.
3. We need to believe in a deep inner wisdom, or if we wish, a Higher Power that can give us strength, and return us to emotional balance, mental clarity, and to a functional sanity.
4. We need to examine past errors, poor choices, or irrational acts, with the help and support of an experienced mentor (sponsor) and a regular Mastermind group.
5. Making amends for these past errors, poor choices, and irrational acts. When possible, we need to make direct amends except when to do so would injure them or others.
6. Learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior; one based on applied game theory.
7. Admit, that we were, and are powerless over most macro-factors in the world — That without meditation, contemplation, and introspection concerning our inner spiritual intentions, combined with game theory and strategic thinking, our lives may have become unmanageable, and will continue to be unmanageable.
8. Make a decision to turn your will and life over to the care of something sacred and spiritual as you understand it.
9. Make a searching, introspective, and a fearless ethical inventory of yourself. Here you will need to explore your sense of what is right and wrong. You will also need to explore how right and wrong is expressed in your thoughts, words, and deeds.
10. Admit to “spirit”, to yourself, and to another human being the exact nature of where you have been “les”s than your potential, i.e., what you are capable of.
11. Surrender. Here we have an intention, and a desired outcome so clear, that we are entirely ready to have our deeper wisdom transcend our intellect and emotional baggage to remove all defects or limitations of character, and bring us into a life built on love, kindness, compassion, empathy, wisdom, goodness, appreciation of beauty, competence at some level, gratitude, and surrender.
12. Continue to take personal inventory, and when not at a PEEPPASA level, promptly admit it, and correct it.
Now, when I look at the news I can take my knowledge of game theory and strategies tied to Game Theory. At this point I am able to apply game theory to other, reframed, systems of thought, including;
- Pattern Language,
- Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints,
- The Butterfly effect,
- Black Swan Events,
- Multiple Intelligences,
- Harrison’s Competency Code
- Collaborative Intelligence,
- Tipping Points and Critical Mass Theory,
- Sabermetrics
- Bayes Predictive analytics
- Sports Psychology
At this stage of the “game” I can almost predict what’s likely to happen in a situation, based on the variables that are presented.
There are two movies, both based on books by Michael M. Lewis, a pioneering financial journalist, that show the practical application of game theory.
Here are the trailers for both films.
MoneyBall
The Big Short
OK. So far so good!
To move forward let’s explore some basic definitions here.
- Game Theory: A system of critical thinking, originally developed by John von Neumann that provides tools for analyzing patterns in situations in which parties, called players, make decisions that are interdependent. This interdependence, causes each player to consider the other player’s possible decisions, or strategies, in formulating strategy.
- Harrison’s Applied Game Theory: A form of strategic and tactical thinking that provides tools for analyzing patterns (both rational and irrational) in situations in which parties, called players, make decisions that are interdependent. This interdependence causes each player to consider the other player’s possible decisions, or strategies (both rational and irrational), in formulating strategy.
So consider this Medium.com story as an introduction to the use understanding and application of Harrison’s Applied Game Theory for reframing, and affecting your world.
In Harrison’s Applied Game Theory we push aside the generally accepted idea among game theory scholars, that human beings are rational agents, and that they usually make rational decisions in their best interest.
The fact is, that human beings, for the most part are emotionally driven and irrational creatures. I learned this in my studies of hypnosis, stage mentalism, sleight of hand magic, strategic thinking, and Essential Zen.
Humans, being social creatures, simply frame their irrationality so it appears minimally rational to everyone else.
I think, to move forward here, it is essential that we define the elements that make any game, recreational or otherwise a “Game”.
These core elements include:
- The name of the game.
- Who the players are.
- How many players are there?
- Are there teams, and how many of them are there?
- Where is the game taking place; On a field, a board, a computer screen, or some real life game space?
- What are the rules?
- How are the rules enforced?
- How long is the game?
- Is the game broken up into periods, quarters, halves, etc.”
- What are the penalties imposed for violating the rules?
- How is the game scored?
- How do you know when some individual, or team has actually won
- What are the benefits of winning?
- What are the random aspects, and the elements of chance in the game?
- Is there a way of knowing who the cheaters are if they appear?
- How to deal with cheaters, as a strategy to win?
As you move forward it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the names and structure of the most common strategies in the game? — Prisoner’s Dilemma, Chicken, Nash Bargaining Game, Diner’s Dilemma, Travelor’s Dilemma, Bach or Stravinsky Game.
The Takeaway
Once you have all these essential elements in place, then the game begins. With a clear intention, a defined desired outcome, with PEEPPASA, and those 12 Steps in place, you usually win every time you play, and you can also help others who are ready, willing, and able to win as well.
This story is an excerpt from my Module for making the best choices, from my book and online Course, “Beyond Thought”.
To learn more email me at [email protected]
Author: Lewis Harrison is a Manifestation Coach, professional futurist (forecaster), and a philanthropy consultant. He is the creator of the Ask Lewis Mentoring Method as well as HAGT — Harrison’s Applied Game Theory. He is the Executive Director of the International Association of Healing Professionals an educational organization that offers programs around the world in Intentional Living. He is also Independent Scholar, with a passion for knowledge, personal development, self-improvement, creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. You can read all of his Medium stories at [email protected].
For a decade, Lewis was the host of a humor-based Q & A talk show on NPR (National Public Radio) affiliated WIOX FM in NY.
This story is an excerpt from my Module for making the best choices, from my book and online Course, “Beyond Thought”.
To learn more about my many courses, or studying directly with me, email me at [email protected]
Lewis Administers, many free communities (Groups) on Facebook. Please join us at. …
- The Self Improvement Lifestyle,
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- Futurist Community,
- Wisdom Path Community.
If you have any ideas you would like me to write about, just email me at [email protected] or check out all of my books, blogs, and videos through my portal www.asklewis.com
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