Overview
A developer describes how they used ChatGPT to learn about state formation theory and applied circumscription theory to design conflict mechanics in their AI town simulation, where AI agents compete for limited computational resources.
The Breakdown
- Used ChatGPT as a research assistant to summarize academic books on state formation when too busy to read them directly
- Applied circumscription theory from political science to create natural conflict boundaries using computer limitations as geographic constraints
- Implemented resource scarcity mechanics by switching from demand-based to fixed token allocation among AI towns
- Created soldier roles for raiding that allow towns to attack and steal computational tokens from each other
- Demonstrated cross-disciplinary AI application by translating political theory into functional game mechanics for AI agent interactions