Frontlines, Readings

Frontlines of the Non-digital: March Reading

Nice article in the latest April issue of Scientific American entitled: How Game Theory Could Stop Sports Doping, by Michael Shermer. He basically uses the prisoner’s dilemma and Nash’s equilibrium to explain (and pose a solution to) the problem of athlete’s use of performance enhancing drugs. The article is a good primer on what drugs are used in sports, how they enhance performance, and the underlying motivation to use drugs and keep secret the abuse. His five point plan to curb doping is a bit idealistic, but in theory he has some solid ideas. A must read for anyone who is concerned about the state of doping in athletic competition.