Game Theory: Joel's Choice Meant Nothing! (The Last of Us)

TL;DR

The Last of Us presents a moral choice that is actually straightforward due to flawed science, showing the game's biggest decision wasn't that difficult.

Transcript

what are you doing hello Internet welcome to game theory the show whose primary objective is turning your favorite cute cuddly little video games into nightmare fuel the game we're talking about today though doesn't need that treatment The Last of Us was is and will always be depressing gritty and honestly one of the best pieces of video game story... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔬 The Last of Us' narrative is elevated by its incorporation of realistic science concepts like fungal infections.
• 👾 Joel's decision to save Ellie aligns with scientific principles and logical reasoning, showcasing the flawed moral dilemma setup by the game.
• 🖤 The Fireflies' misguided approach to creating a vaccine highlights their lack of understanding of science and biology.
• 💅 Real plasma therapy techniques could have been a more effective and humane approach to developing a cure in The Last of Us.
• 👾 The game's compelling storytelling is grounded in plausible scientific concepts, adding depth and realism to the post-apocalyptic narrative.
• 🤔 The Last of Us challenges players to think critically about moral choices and the consequences of scientific decisions.
• 👾 Flawed scientific reasoning in the game's narrative prompts players to reassess the apparent moral dilemma presented to them.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the moral dilemma faced by Joel in The Last of Us?

Joel must decide whether to save Ellie, who is immune to the infection, or let her be sacrificed for a potential vaccine that the Fireflies plan to create.

Q: How does the game utilize real-world science in creating its fictional infection?

The Last of Us draws inspiration from real cordyceps science, where a fungus can hijack insect bodies, showing a plausible yet terrifying scenario of a brain infection in humans.

Q: Why does the Fireflies' vaccine approach in The Last of Us flawed?

The Fireflies' plan of sacrificing Ellie for a vaccine is scientifically unsound, as vaccines are preventive and should be based on a safe form of the pathogen, not by killing potential donors.

Q: How could the Fireflies have approached developing a vaccine in a more logical way?

The Fireflies could have looked into Ellie's antibodies and used plasma therapy techniques from real-world medicine to fight the infection without harming her.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Last of Us' impactful storytelling revolves around the ethical dilemma faced by Joel in deciding Ellie's fate for a potential vaccine.

• The game uses a realistic concept of a fungal infection based on real-world cordyceps, making the narrative more eerie and engaging.

• The Fireflies' misguided approach to creating a vaccine and Joel's decision to save Ellie highlight the flawed moral dilemma at the heart of the game.