[bhickey]

While game theory is useful when developing nuclear strategy I don't think anyone takes MAD seriously: It isn't subgame perfect. Once the rockets are up, retaliation is no longer credible... because the purpose of the threat of retaliation is to discourage an attack in the first place.

[thsksbd]

MAD is stable because people aren't rational beings and game theory is therefore nuts.

When I have 500 nukes headed my way, I wont stop to think "well, maybe the remaining 10% of my population can scrape by a living as dogs. Lets not retaliate and maybe they wont launch their remaining 500"

Ill think: "fuck 'em m! launch everything we got"

[jowea]

That's what dead's man switch[0] and madman theory are for. Or just human nature, specifically hate and desire for vengeance and punishment I guess.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Hand