Game Theory and Business Strategy

The Game of Chicken & Military Intelligence

An important lesson about commitment and rationality...


(Not a real) Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations, 10-10-95:

#1: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

#2: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to South to avoid a collision.

#1: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

#2: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

#1: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE, WE ARE A LARGE WARSHIP OF THE US NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE NOW!

#2: This is a lighthouse. Your call.


Perhaps the most humorous part is that the United States Navy formally responded to this circulating joke.

Update: The Navy has since removed its reply to this joke. The above link takes you to the archive.org archive of the page.