CronoDAS comments on central planning is intractable (polynomial, but n is large) - Less Wrong

9 Post author: Jonathan_Graehl 31 May 2012 06:41PM

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Comment author: CronoDAS 01 June 2012 03:28:19AM 4 points [-]

According to the link, it's O(n^3) if certain simplifying assumptions are made. (Said simplifying assumptions include that returns to scale are never positive - which isn't too unrealistic when you're talking about the difference between making a million diapers or a million plus one of diapers, but is unrealistic as hell when you're talking about intellectual property or anything with large R&D costs.) However, the same conditions under which central planning actually becomes harder than O(n^3) are the same conditions under which the market allocation is inefficient, too - they're the same kinds of conditions that tend to create monopolies, tragedy of the commons situations, etc.

Comment author: billswift 01 June 2012 03:58:14PM *  0 points [-]

Moved to open thread, since my point turned more general than just a response.