Gambling On Bacteria

An anonymous reader writes "When it comes to gambling, many people rely on game theory, a branch of applied mathematics that attempts to measure the choices of others to inform their own decisions. It's used in economics, politics, medicine — and, of course, Las Vegas. But recent findings from a Tel Aviv University researcher suggest that we may put ourselves on the winning side if we look to bacteria instead. According to Prof. Eshel Ben-Jacob of Tel Aviv University's School of Physics and Astronomy, current game theory can't account for bacteria's natural decision-making abilities — it's just too simplistic. Understanding bacteria's reactions to stressful and hazardous conditions may improve decision-making processes in any human arena from everyday life to political elections."

Comments

anthropomorphic drivel

[vlm]

Individual bacteria weigh their decisions carefully

OK dude whatever. Ultimate in anthropomorphism. I'm surprised the author didn't describe it as little bacteria surfing wikipedia and using their smartphones and twitter to coordinate their flash mobs.

Re:anthropomorphic drivel

[NoOneInParticular]

Uhm, it seems that the author described them as weighing their decisions carefully, not as being a random pack of mindless automata that use twitter, wikipedia and who travel in flash mobs. Give these bacteria some credit.

Let it ride

[i-c-electrons]

Give me $100 on black plague.

So wait...

[Philomage]

future humans might add bacteria to their physiological make up to help them make better decisions and this article isn't tagged with "midichlorians"?

Re:Bacteria for Congress

[gestalt_n_pepper]

E-coli for congress! They really know their shit!