[arethuza]

Two people want to share a cake.

The reasonable person asks for half the cake, the unreasonable person asks for the whole cake.

They compromise and split the difference - the unreasonable person gets three quarters of the cake and the reasonable person gets a quarter.

[I wish I knew the origins of this - I heard it years ago.]

[hitchhiker999]

What you're talking about is something like (if not exactly) game theory. I read somewhere (no source sorry) that humans in normals situations DON'T actually behave like that.

They generally come to a mutually satisfactory conclusion, normally kindness (apparently inherent in human society) surfaces quickly.

Intelligence would perhaps suggest it's most efficient not be a dick in the long run.

[wulczer]

What is the epiphany here? What is the insight or enlightenment to be gained from this story?

I have my own, but I'm curious about what people believe is the moral of the story.

[hackinthebochs]

Don't be the chump who offers the rational middle ground as your opening bid.

[pontifier]

I'd say there are at least 2 morals.

First: You don't get what you don't ask for. the other person might really only want a quarter of the cake, but by asking for more than your "fair share" you open the door to allowing them to give you what you want.

Second: By asking for the whole thing, you have placed yourself in a position of power and privilege. The mere act of asking for more implies that you think you deserve it. Someone mentioned posturing in another comment.

[kamaal]

Selfishness is a virtue and not a sin as taught and propagated through society, religion and culture.

If you wish to get what you want, you have to use any means possible. And there is nothing wrong in it.

Actually if you look at it that is how most successful people get successful.

Think of your own good first, even if that's not very helpful to the other guy.

[iotasigma]

But, you said two people want to share a cake. According to the scenario only one of them does.

[TophWells]

Two people have to share a cake, and one of them wants to.

[fokker]

Ye I doubt the greedy guy would settle for a quarter when the other is getting 3..

[sizzle]

can you elaborate how you would apply this thinking to your everyday life? thanks

[arethuza]

Learn to spot and understand the perspective of people who expect to get the whole cake in life - the loser/clueless/sociopath model being of some use here:

http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-o...

[jonas_b]

I work in customer service for a sub-unit of a large telco. When people run into annying issues, I am kind of at liberty to issue a refund if I want to, sort of to please the customer and make them stay with us.

However most people don't ask for it. So only the ones who take the time to ask for it and write two sentences of why they should receive one get it.

[drawkbox]

Complain more often.