Can somebody describe a real world example of social dilemma?
by 
matt kleviar
ANSWERS: 2
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From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_dilemma "A Social dilemma is a paradox that arises from a social decision situation in which contributions are needed to attain some common and shared goal or end-result, and where the rational choice of the individual is to "free-ride". For instance, if it was possible for you to be a non-paying passenger on a bus ride, that's the "rational" thing for you to do, in so far as it would leave you better off. You would both get the ride and keep the fare money. But in this situation, if everybody does the individually rational thing, that is collectively irrational. The common goal of getting bus rides from stop A to B can only be sustained if most or all are paying passengers."
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There is a mathematical precept called the prisoner's dilemma in which two suspects are being questioned about a robbery. They are separated and told their choices: stay silent or defect on their partner and squeal. If both stay silent they each get 6 months in prison due to lack of evidence, but if one squeals and the other stays silent - the squealer goes free while the other is sentenced to 10 years. If both prisoners tattle on each other - they both get 5 years in prison. The rational choice is to defect, however the irrational individual choice leads to a better overall result. There are far reaching uses for this basic example, it is used in evolutionary biology and social sciences. There is even a computer program competition every year called the IPD. (iterated prisoners dilemma) Iterated just means the choice is duplicated over and over - the program with the best overall result is the winner. Turns out the best strategy is to stay silent on round one, and then do whatever your partner did on the previous choice, this is called tit for tat. More info can be found at wikipedia - prisoners dilemma
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