Non-zero-sum James comments on The Stag Hunt—cultivating cooperation to reap rewards

[Non-zero-sum James]

Thanks Ozzie,

I take your point about the wolves as antagonists. It’s funny, as you mention, using human hunters would be problematic (particularly in my audience, or the EA crowd—with probably a higher percentage of ethical vegans than the general population). The wolves were a logical solution to this, given we all accept that wolves hunt deer and hares as a (morally neutral) fact of nature, and they fit the scenario because they’re pack hunters who capitalise on cooperation. I also thought they were more relatable than, say, velociraptors.

Also, as a general rule, I don’t do humans, the characters are always other animals. I suppose I could have done a group of dogs dressed up as hunters, to avoid the antagonist inference, but then we have a sort of anthropomorphic version of the same issue we had with humans. Cartoons are a much trickier beast than is immediately apparent :)

If you’re partial to the Stag Hunt, did you catch my critique of the Prisoner’s Dilemma: The Dilemma’s Dilemma? I’d be interested if you agree.

[Ozzie Gooen]

I suppose I could have done a group of dogs dressed up as hunters, to avoid the antagonist inference

That doesn’t seem any better to me.

If you don’t want to use humans, I would wonder if maybe you could use some neutral human-stand-in with more positive associations.