TWC session 12

TWC session 12 marks the end of the module.

I would say my attitude about the world have changed, I myself have taken the use of technology a step further than what I usually do. Now I am using cloud technology. Everything in synchronisation real time any time any where. A simple drop of my document in my dropbox and it becomes available on my laptop, desktop, ipad and iphone. What beauty!

Session 12 also marks my final TWC presentation.

Our web report, was a research on Epidemic Management. *Highly compressed

To experts out there, I am really sorry for that oversimplified version of epidemic management, but what I wish to draw your attention to is really the future of epidemic management. The use of Game Theory, by following the works of Bruce Bueno De Mesquita.

The idea here is to use Game Theory to address conflicts which may result from negotiations when attempting to deal with epidemic outbreaks. For example, during the case of H1n1 when there was the shortage of vaccine, politicians are at a lost on how to address the situation. With game theory, the software will predict and project the likely outcome that is going to occur base on the following 4 factors in a negotiation:

1)What are their choices?
2)The Chances People are willing to take?
3)What are their principles and values?
4)What they belief about other people?

I understand the issue here is about the inequalities in life. The rich and famous, the most influential will get their desired outcome, throughout all negotiations. However, if you think about it, in real life, such factors cannot be eliminated, simply because we are dealing with something innate within all mankind. We do things to our self-interest. Instead of being concerned about the inequalities, shouldn't we place priorities to deal the issues that are a cause of concern or attempt to achieve equality which is never going to occur.

In Jared Diamond's Guns Germs and Steel. The moment we are born, the environment that we are in already subjects us to different advantage and disadvantage. Is there a solution? I don't foresee any in the future.

Nonethless, I am not putting my decisions in life under the control of a computer software. What I wish to achieve with Game Theory is to facilitate the negotiation, and recognise that inequalities cannot be eliminated. Skip the conflicts in negotiation, and get things done.

Here's a presentation by Mr. Bruce Bueno de Mesquitas: