Greg Pidgeon

"Great wits are sure to madness near allied,
And thin partitions do their bounds divide."

(John Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel, 1681)

John Nash was once described by his old Carnegie Tech professor, R.J. Duffin as genius, attended Priston, eventually after a 20 year attack of paranoid schizophrenia was awarded the Nobel Peace prize for his work in the pure mathematic area of Game Theory. After excelling at mathematics Nash developed what is known as the "Nash Equalibrium" and the "Nash Bargaining Solution" (NBS) along with many other theories, too many to list. These were particulary interesting in relation to any game that involves two players that are trying to gain something. This is particulary interesting as Nash gave new definition to a game, a 'Formalised Incentive Structure'. A nice definition that can be used to approached the design of a new toy/game, as for our new assignment. Looking at a game this way enables the designer to take out the gimmick appeal and create a game that is logically sound before adding the asthetic or marketing appeal.


John Nash

A few interesting links for anyone who would like to find out a bit more about John Nash or game theory .......

Jonh Nash

John Nash autobiography
Short, brief biography of John Nash.

Game Theory Research

International Game Theory Review (IGTR)
Game Theory Society
The International Society of Dynamic Games


www.abeautifulmind.com is the offical film site and holds many interesting facts about the film itself along with John Nash biography and links, even a short definition of paranoid schizophrenia.
(Just to note for you web designers out there this is one of the best flash sites I've seen in a long time, beautifull functional, easy navigation and oozing asthetic appeal.)