The Nomic Game

by Charles Miller on September 8, 2002

I was reminded of this by a few other posts flying around this evening.

The Nomic Game was invented by Peter Suber, and first published in a column by Douglas Hofstadter (of Godel, Escher, Bach fame).

Like every game, it has rules. Amongst other things, the rules tell you how you earn points, and how many points you need to score to win. One of the rules prescribes the procedure for voting in changes to the rules. You see, it's a self-modifying game. Every rule can be changed, if you follow the right procedure, and the right procedure is defined by the rules.

Sounds a bit weird? Why? That's how most democracies work.

The very first rule says you have to obey the rules. That one could be changed too, but it would make the game very difficult for anyone to win.

It'd be interesting to play.

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