Redpill me on game theory. is it argle bargle or foofaraw?

It's just a theory.

It is just decision mathematics.

It attracts huxters and charlatans because it makes them look smart and powerful like in that pic, but really their understanding of things is basic at best.

>>1884857
a GAME theory

>>1884949
Thanks for watching

As a branch of mathematics is it as valid as anything else. More than half of the field doesn't resemble anything like the popular conception of game theory.

As a means of modelling in social science, it is just a tool for analysis. Sometimes it is abused for masturbatory bullshit, but sometimes it can provide clarity. Generally it has little to no predictive power, with a few exceptions.

If you want game theory put to good practical use check out All Roth and others work on mechanism design.

If you want game theory as a useful analytic tool (but not taken as meme tier gospel truth), try Schelling (Strategy of Conflict).

If you want some silly bullshit, check out almost any pop video or article (The Game Theory of X).