Can you really learn life strategy lessons from a online game? Yes, you can.
Supremacy 1914 Strategy Life Lessons
Supremacy 1914 is a slow paced online strategy game played worldwide by sophisticated people with all types of jobs and backgrounds. You meet all types of people, and practice a lot of math.
I looked at this game as an investment. I wanted to find out how different people were from across the world. Study financial markets. I want to do the marketing for the developers, and also advertise on their platform.
Real Life Strategy Lessons
There is the way you wish life was and then there is the reality. We can change things, but only after we have enough power or capital. Groups of people can band together to procure political capital. Unfortunately, that can all be taken away with fear, bribery, or sheer laziness.
This is apparent not only in this game and others, but in social dynamics. Families, friends, co-workers and even individual social circles and engagements all have a political nuance to them.
Game Theory for Life Strategy
Game theory is the study of mathematical models of strategic interactions with people and groups. It combines social science, economics, marketing and all other things related. It is used in war and also politics, including business and the workplace.
People do what is in their best interest in Game Theory, providing they are rational. However, most people are not so simple as rocks, paper, scissors.
Even with Financial Markets – there is a level of gamification.
As I wrote in “Incentives and the Environment“, people do what is in their perceived best interest. The emphasis is on “perceived” – which leaves room for manipulation. Propaganda, misinformation, or silence of dissent through Distribution of Thought have helped those in power maintain their power.
This is typically at the detriment of the people they rule over, causing economic inefficiency and unhappiness throughout time.
Real Life Strategy Lessons – Game Theory
Fight Battles You Can’t Win, But Not Wars
Sometimes loosing helps you accomplish a larger objective. While you don’t want to take heavy losses in a battle – if it serves a purpose, it may be your best option.
For instance, if you can slow an enemy or competitor down to later win by protecting your homeland (family, career, life), then you may have no other option. I’ve been told and have learned life is all about thee sacrifices we make and responsibilities we take.
Real Life Strategy Lessons – Battles and Wars
Don’t waste your energy on worthless battles. Don’t waste your resources on wars you can’t win.
Investing in the Underdog is Tough
I wish it was worth it. For efficiency it is, but only in an ideal world. Unfortunately, the powers that be use the law and political power to push liability on others.
Real Life Strategy Lessons – Investing
People Will Deceive and Betray You
Those people tend to win and get ahead in life. They lie, cheat and steal. The only way to stop them is to hold them accountable. You need to have power to do that.
Read 48 Laws of Power – I read this countless times, and also the audio book.
Real Life Strategy Lessons – Deception and Lies
What Can You Do for Me?
People only care what you can do for them, if they care at all. When it’s over the internet – that care factor is exacerbated.
The Two Types of Trust
Will this person #$^$ me, and are they capable. Will this person betray me knowingly, or are they going to mess up or be tricked into hurting me. Those are the two types of trust.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
The larger a system is, the less efficient it operates.
Real Life Strategy Lessons – Size and Efficiency
Always Protect Your Home
In this game, and in life, your homeland, is the most important place.
