CHEAT, GAME THEORY SAYS YOU SHOULD

Alright lets talk about it.

My position on cheating is varied. I‘ve cheated. And I’ve been cheated on. The reasons for both are vast and like everything else may always be backed up when necessary. 

Those of you familiar with the repeated “prisoners dilemma” will know that the best strategy for someone who has previously been cheated on is to cheat in their next relationship. As I believe the mathematics indicates the best bet is to default. And so in that way it makes every sense in my current view for one to cheat in order to “protect” themselves as best they can. It’s simply risk management. Also on the pro side - Cheating may also allow the novelty of courting to be maintained by someone who is in a secure relationship (benefits attached). Often one party takes the other for granted once they are established in a relationship, they stop making an effort, and they allow routine to manifest. Cheating may allow one to bring back that lost excitement which, coupled with the genuine emotional attachment for the original partner will create a more full experience. We are but animals and have needs, which needs must be satisfied in one way or another. It was taught to me that it is a basic human need to love and be loved. And so your next question of why one should even be in a relationship if they want to cheat is answered – They want to be loved. Yes, it is bad but, some would have their cake and eat it too. On the pro side are many arguable points and some less so but ultimately I can understand the rational arguments laid by some who do it.    

But I believe in the romanticism of the monogomous relationships of days gone by. I believe that such relationships can work, well even, and more importantly I believe that such relationships can work for me. Unfortunately I cannot engage myself and therein lies the problem as captured below:

“I gotta be honest that it does bother me that cheating seems to be so common in this country. I'm not bothered because I think we're going to "hell in a hand basket" or anything like that. I'm just bothered because that potentially makes it harder to find the type of girl who'd never cheat on me. I'm starting to wonder if there's something in our culture that produces women who are, on average, a little more bossy, promiscuous, rude, shallow, and materialistic.”

Try though I have, I cannot seem to engage because it appears the moral fabric of our society has worn itself down over the years with the ailing economy. And now the economy is looking up the fabric remains torn, and I neither see efforts to repair, nor new weaving of, the fabric. So whats to be done – compromise and join the majority or wait for a dream that reality shows is always the next station away.

And whats been said? Whats right and where are we wrong? The questions remain.

All in all, remember: There’s nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so