4 ms·

That algorithm seems super trivial. It's the only logical way to solve the problem, is it not?

• gwern 15y ago
  Stuff often looks trivial - in retrospect. But it's not the only logical way, just a good way. It breaks down or does odd things in some cases (this is why the whole field of 'cooperative game theory' exists, because this sort of thing is not that easy). For example, how would you divide up entropy, one of the most fundamental and scarce resources we possess? Shapley seems to work but there are some troubling parts: http://lesswrong.com/lw/12v/fair_division_of_blackhole_negentropy_an/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/12v/fair_division_of_blackhole_negen... Does it work with all division problems, such as when agents can inspect each other's source code/rules? http://lesswrong.com/lw/13y/freaky_fairness/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/13y/freaky_fairness/ and http://lesswrong.com/lw/3pv/freaky_unfairness/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/3pv/freaky_unfairness/
  • eru 15y ago
    Trivial correction: It's neg-entropy, not entropy. And interestingly, in current computers entropy is the valued commodity, while neg-entropy doesn't cost extra.
• psykotic 15y ago
  The algorithm was invented to match residents with hospitals. Before it was standardized in the 1950s, a far worse method had been widely used, so from that vantage point it cannot be entirely obvious. Often what makes a solution seem trivial in retrospect is that the problem has been whittled down to its crystalline essence and placed in its proper context. As Alan Kay likes to say, point of view is worth 80 IQ points.
• lucian1900 15y ago
  Generally, when you understand something fully, it does seem trivial.