Originates from game theory, (the field of math, not the Youtube channel.) The 0 is replaceable with any number, usually no higher than k1. Describes how many "levels" of thinking someone exhibits.
k0: I am going to play scissors.
k1: I know Bob usually plays paper, so I'm going to play scissors.
k2: Bob knows I usually play rock, so he will play paper, and to beat him I will play scissors.
k3: Bob is aware that that I know he usually plays scissors, and that I'll play rock to beat him, so he will play paper. To beat that, I will play scissors.
etc.
k0: I am going to play scissors.
k1: I know Bob usually plays paper, so I'm going to play scissors.
k2: Bob knows I usually play rock, so he will play paper, and to beat him I will play scissors.
k3: Bob is aware that that I know he usually plays scissors, and that I'll play rock to beat him, so he will play paper. To beat that, I will play scissors.
etc.
1: What the hell? The highway was completely jammed yesterday, but the second I think to come take this shortcut, the highway's empty, and the damn shortcut is jammed!
2: What the hell kind of k0 thinking is that man? Did you not think about how everyone else ALSO knows about this shortcut?
2: What the hell kind of k0 thinking is that man? Did you not think about how everyone else ALSO knows about this shortcut?
by Anthony Hotel August 26, 2025
Get the k0 thinking mug.Originates from game theory, (the field of math, not the Youtube channel.) The 0 is replaceable with any number, usually no higher than k1. Describes how many "levels" of thinking someone exhibits.
k0: I am going to play scissors.
k1: I know Bob usually plays paper, so I'm going to play scissors.
k2: Bob knows I usually play rock, so he will play paper, and to beat him I will play scissors.
k3: Bob is aware that that I know he usually plays scissors, and that I'll play rock to beat him, so he will play paper. To beat that, I will play scissors.
etc.
k0: I am going to play scissors.
k1: I know Bob usually plays paper, so I'm going to play scissors.
k2: Bob knows I usually play rock, so he will play paper, and to beat him I will play scissors.
k3: Bob is aware that that I know he usually plays scissors, and that I'll play rock to beat him, so he will play paper. To beat that, I will play scissors.
etc.
1: What the hell? The highway was completely jammed yesterday, but the second I think to come take this shortcut, the highway's empty, and the damn shortcut is jammed!
2: What the hell kind of k0 thinking is that man? Did you not think about how everyone else ALSO knows about this shortcut?
2: What the hell kind of k0 thinking is that man? Did you not think about how everyone else ALSO knows about this shortcut?
by Anthony Hotel August 26, 2025
Get the k0 thinking mug.