Finite and Infinite Games #2

"If a finite game is to be won by someone it must come

to a definitive end. It will come to an end when someone

has won.

We know that someone has won the game when all the

players have agreed who among them is the winner. No other

condition than the agreement of the players is absolutely re-

quired in determining who has won the game.

It may appear that the approval of the spectators, or the

referees, is also required in the determination of the winner.

However, it is simply the case that if the players do not agree

on a winner, the game has not come to a decisive conclusion-

and the players have not satisfied the original purpose of play-

ing. Even if they are carried from the field and forcibly blocked

from further play, they will not consider the game ended.

Suppose the players all agree, but the spectators and the

referees do not. Unless the players can be persuaded that

their agreement was mistaken, they will not resume the play-

indeed, they cannot resume the play. We cannot imagine

players returning to the field and truly playing if they are

convinced the game is over.

There is no finite game unless the players freely choose

to play it. No one can play who is forced to play.

It is an invariable principle of all play, finite and infinite,

that whoever plays, plays freely. Whoever must play, cannot

play."

As we know, finite games are played for the purpose of winning. That means they must end so that a winner can be declared.

The winner can only be chosen by the mutual agreement of all players involved. No other condition is required for choosing a winner and thereby ending the game.

Take the example of a football game: both teams that enter to play must agree to the rule that when the ball crosses a particular line, it will be counted as a goal. And whichever team has more goals at the end of 90 minutes will be declared the winner.

If the teams do not agree to these conditions, a winner cannot be chosen—and therefore, a finite game is not possible.

Consider another example: the promotion of a person within a team. The team must agree that whoever contributes the most to the company’s revenue in the long term will be chosen as the manager. If the team doesn’t agree, they will refuse to work under the chosen manager.

It may appear that the referee or the CEO of the company has a say in this matter. But it is clear that the players or team members must choose to accept the final decision made by them. If they do not agree, there will always be a question mark on the validity of the result. Team members might pretend to agree with the promotion to avoid any negative consequences, but eventually, they will quit and find a job where their opinion is valued.

Now consider the opposite case: if the players have already agreed on the winner but the referee does not, the players will not feel like returning to the game. For them, the game is already decided.

The same applies in a company. If the team members have already agreed to follow someone as their manager, they will oppose the CEO if he doesn’t promote the person they believe is most deserving.

So the conclusion is that we cannot force anyone to participate in any game unless they choose to participate freely.

Sometimes it may seem that we can create rules to compel people. But if a person cannot find it in their heart to follow the rule, they will be willing to pay whatever the cost to break it.

It also means that people might appear to crib or criticize the decision of the winner, but if they accept it, they are doing so willingly, regardless of what they say on the surface.

This establishes a principle on which the whole premise of this book is based:

Whoever must play, cannot play.

Anything we choose to do in this world must be chosen freely. We cannot be forced to do anything.

We don’t have to do anything.