DanielLC comments on Open Thread for February 11 - 17 - Less Wrong Discussion
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I participated in an economics experiment a few days ago, and one of the tasks was as follows. Choose one of the following gambles where each outcome has 50% probability Option 1: $4 definitely Option 2: $6 or $3 Option 3: $8 or $2 Option 4: $10 or $1 Option 5: $12 or $0
I choose option 5 as it has the highest expected value. Asymptotically this is the best option but for a single trial, is it still the best option?
That depends on the amount of background money and randomness you have.
Although I can't really see any case where I wouldn't pick option five. Even if that's all the money I will ever have, my lifespan, and by extension my happiness, will be approximately linear with time.
If you specify that I get that much money each day for the rest of my life, and that's all I get, then I'd go for something lower risk.