
[It's a beautiful sunny day in Ecruteak City - unfortunately, Celes' latest broadcast isn't allowing you to see much of it. Which makes sense, really...why focus on those horrid old buildings when you could be focusing on her?
She's seated side-saddle on the back of a Ponyta, legs crossed neatly at the knee, hands resting in her lap. Said Ponyta is on the bigger side, wearing a lacey black bridle featuring matching reins, and standing completely still. The flames from his mane and body occasionally (and harmlessly) flick across Celes' legs and lap, making her appear as if she's on fire. Whether the effect is purposeful or not remains to be seen, however.
Smiling her usual smile, Celes looks right into the camera, eyes wide and curious. It's currently positioned perfectly at her head height - how, do you ask? None of your business. Anyway...]
Have any of you heard of the Prisoner's dilemma? It's a thought experiment based on game theory.
Allow me to explain.
[Continuing to smile, Celes raises her hands and links them together.]
Let's take a hypothetical scenario. A and B have committed a serious crime together, and have been captured by the police. They're sent to separate cells for questioning - completely cut off from each other. Currently, the police have enough evidence to imprison them for 2 years.
A police officer visits each of them in turn, and offers them a deal. Should either of them betray the other and confess the full details of the crime, he will reduce the sentence of the betrayer to 1 year. The other criminal, however, will take the full brunt of the law and have to serve 15 years. So if A betrays B and tells the police officer everything, he'll get 1 year in prison, while B will get 15 years. The same works in reverse, should B do the betraying.
Should both A and B try to take the route of confession for the 1 year sentence, they will each serve 10 years. Not quite as much as 15, but...hardly a desirable outcome, don't you think? Ah, but that's the price of betrayal...
[Giggling softly, Celes places one hand against her mouth, smile widening.]
So let's play a game. Place yourself in the shoes of one of the prisoners. How would you act in this situation? What choice would you make? Would you confess your crimes, in an attempt to ensure you avoid 15 years in prison...
[Reaching out into her Ponyta's mane, Celes watches the flames envelop her hand and wrist, the light reflecting in her eyes.]
...or remain silent and place your future in the hands of your partner, who may be more than happy to watch you burn?
[For a moment, Celes' attention is locked on the fire, her expression flickering ever-so-slighty. But if there was something about it that bothered her, it's not evident, and she soon returns her hand to her lap and her focus to the camera.]
I look forward to your thoughts.
[Smiling once more, Celes nods slightly and the feed immediately disconnects.]