The December 1, 2008 issue of Newsweek includes a review, by Jeneen
Interlandi, of a new book "Rock, Paper, Scissors: Game theory in
Everyday Life," by physicist Len Fisher. He assumes that all
individuals are fundamentally selfish, but that we can invent
strategies for minimizing interpersonal havoc by negotiating
cooperative resolutions that maximize each person's self-interest. The
author seems not to be aware of the potential for a genuine and
profound interest, as well as feeling, for the well-being of others.
Mathematical and economic theories of human behavior may mistakenly
attempt to support pessimistic and short-sighted views of human
nature. "Research" often merely justifies the bias of the researcher.