Ever wonder why 400 million Chinese students are cramming English while barely 50 million Westerners bother learning Chinese? Adrian Walsh breaks down how game theory explains this massive imbalance — and reveals how the same strategic thinking that built and toppled empires still drives every major decision today.
On Pattern Break, we explore how colonial systems created winner-take-all scenarios that echo through modern life. You'll discover why the Spanish Empire controlled 13% of the world's land but still lost everything to strategic miscalculations. We'll break down how British privateers captured over 2,000 Spanish ships in just 20 years, transferring roughly $2 billion in today's money. Plus, learn why English became the lingua franca for 1.5 billion people despite native speakers being a tiny minority.
📍 Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction with Adrian Walsh
[01:30] The English language empire game
[04:00] How Spain lost despite winning big
[07:00] British pirates and strategic warfare
[10:00] Modern game theory in action
[12:00] What this means for you today
🔍 Topics: game theory, colonial systems, language dominance, empire strategy, decision making, historical patterns
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