Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M0097

Infinite Game

Infinite Game
CultureHigh supportPhilosophy
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Proposed by James Carse. Finite games aim to win, with clear endings; infinite games aim to continue the game, with no endpoint and mutable rules.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Shift competitive perspective. It helps us move focus from short-term wins and losses (e.g., quarterly earnings, beating competitors) to long-term survival and development (e.g., corporate vision, ecosystem symbiosis), thereby formulating more resilient strategies.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Carse's 'Finite and Infinite Games': finite games are played within boundaries to win and can be concluded; infinite games are played for the sake of continuing the game, rewriting rules, and embracing uncertainty.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Infinite_GameZH · Explicit
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