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Games of Life: Explorations in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour
Takes an engaging journey through some of the most intriguing and fascinating areas of current biology, focusing on the application of game theory and mathematical modelling to our understanding of evolution, sex, animal behaviour and aggression.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 20, 2017
Hi there, fellow biology geeks --
Should you read Richard Dawkins, or Karl Sigmund? Let me compare the two:
Dawkins is like a Mahler symphony - impressive, pondering and ponderous, every salvo planned in advance. Meanwhile, Karl Sigmund's little book is as playful and giddy as a Weber clarinet concerto.
Whereas Dawkins keeps smashing away at the idea of God, Sigmund indulges in a cheeky sort of belief. Charles Darwin may have seen God as a blind watchmaker; but Sigmund's God is a clumsy programmer, who ranks somewhere above your cubicle-mates but way below Goethe on the coolness scale.
- Sigmund on how life-forms gain consciousness: Will they speculate on whether the Supreme Programmer had created life, or only matter?.. Will they sometimes feel doubts about whether they mean more to Him than a few specks of dust on the Life-plane? And will they fear that He might suddenly push the escape button to switch off the game - possibly b/c the Supervisor enters?
- God, according to Goethe, has made sure that the trees cannot grow into heaven. With all due respect to God (and Goethe, needless to say), it may be added that it is the solidity of the wood, in fact, which limits the size of the trees.
Perhaps Sigmund has made a version of Pascal's wager (i.e. we don't know if God exists, but let's act as if He does; we have little to lose, and Heaven to gain). Here, Sigmund says "We don't know if God exists, but let's believe in Him anyway. Nothing to lose and a whole book of nerd jokes to gain!"
Should you read Richard Dawkins, or Karl Sigmund? Let me compare the two:
Dawkins is like a Mahler symphony - impressive, pondering and ponderous, every salvo planned in advance. Meanwhile, Karl Sigmund's little book is as playful and giddy as a Weber clarinet concerto.
Whereas Dawkins keeps smashing away at the idea of God, Sigmund indulges in a cheeky sort of belief. Charles Darwin may have seen God as a blind watchmaker; but Sigmund's God is a clumsy programmer, who ranks somewhere above your cubicle-mates but way below Goethe on the coolness scale.
- Sigmund on how life-forms gain consciousness: Will they speculate on whether the Supreme Programmer had created life, or only matter?.. Will they sometimes feel doubts about whether they mean more to Him than a few specks of dust on the Life-plane? And will they fear that He might suddenly push the escape button to switch off the game - possibly b/c the Supervisor enters?
- God, according to Goethe, has made sure that the trees cannot grow into heaven. With all due respect to God (and Goethe, needless to say), it may be added that it is the solidity of the wood, in fact, which limits the size of the trees.
Perhaps Sigmund has made a version of Pascal's wager (i.e. we don't know if God exists, but let's act as if He does; we have little to lose, and Heaven to gain). Here, Sigmund says "We don't know if God exists, but let's believe in Him anyway. Nothing to lose and a whole book of nerd jokes to gain!"
December 28, 2015
This book is at the cross section of biology, information theory, and mathematics and consists essentially of fascinating examples and work done in each field. I really enjoyed the section on artificial life, and even more, the extensive discussion of evolution in sexually reproducing species.
January 20, 2025
This book was transformative for me. Eye opening on every page. I especially loved the discussion on paradoxical dice. It changed my thinking of practically everything, and I credit it for a lot of breakthroughs I've had with board game strategies as well as my own game design. These benefits were not what I set out to achieve when first opened the book. I was looking for exactly what it offered—explorations of ecology, evolution, and behavior—but the topics covered by the book affect every aspect of life. I've read this book twice and often pull it off the shelf to reread passages when needed.
I currently have two copies because, for a short while there in the 90s or 00s, it was difficult to find it in paperback, and hardcover copies were at least $50.
I've gifted the book twice, but neither recipient seemed to find the book as enlightening as I did, but both claimed to enjoy it. Your mileage will vary!
I currently have two copies because, for a short while there in the 90s or 00s, it was difficult to find it in paperback, and hardcover copies were at least $50.
I've gifted the book twice, but neither recipient seemed to find the book as enlightening as I did, but both claimed to enjoy it. Your mileage will vary!
December 14, 2017
"Playful"
To start with, there are lots of analogies taken from 'life' to explain theories, but in return you can easily pick up the ideas and see their truths in day to day work.
Time and time again it puts the emphasis on the importance of mathematics and also ponders on the fact that bio and bio-chemistry owe a lot to it.
And one thing more,
the first of the living organisms didn't try to keep themselves alive only, they replicated and survived. It is their information(DNA) that was transmitted.
So to speak I think for us, humans, we are above other organisms with our capabilities to think. The DNA is being passed on nonetheless. But our life should be dedicated to an idea(s). It is the information that we can pass. There is no good in boasting of oneself, having false pride and ego. Rather one should strive to make progress on a field, an idea, for that is the only good that we can be remembered for.
To start with, there are lots of analogies taken from 'life' to explain theories, but in return you can easily pick up the ideas and see their truths in day to day work.
Time and time again it puts the emphasis on the importance of mathematics and also ponders on the fact that bio and bio-chemistry owe a lot to it.
And one thing more,
the first of the living organisms didn't try to keep themselves alive only, they replicated and survived. It is their information(DNA) that was transmitted.
So to speak I think for us, humans, we are above other organisms with our capabilities to think. The DNA is being passed on nonetheless. But our life should be dedicated to an idea(s). It is the information that we can pass. There is no good in boasting of oneself, having false pride and ego. Rather one should strive to make progress on a field, an idea, for that is the only good that we can be remembered for.
May 15, 2017
Outstanding, with hilarious bits and captivating writing. Will be a hit for anyone interested in biology, game theory, and mathematics.
500-599-natural-science
November 18, 2019574.011
August 15, 2020
4.5 stars, really well written for a non English scientist. amazing breadth of research, but I would have wished for a bit more detail on some concepts
November 12, 2015
Fascinating subject matter, but a very frustrating read. The Author's explanations are often very unclear and confusing. In one place he resorts to an analogy, but the reader is left wondering how exactly this equates to the real-life scenario. If it had been written by someone with the writing skills of Richard Dawkins then I would probably have given it five stars, but as it is I lost the will to persevere.
June 30, 2009
A mathematician takes a close look at the workings of evolution.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews