When the cameras popped, John F. Nash Jr looked first to his left and then to his right, where the Games Theory Society president was supposed to be seated but was actually stuck in Marine Drive traffic.Then, the Nobel laureate decided how to play his game and resolve the conflict. Nash of the Nash Equilibrium covered his face with his hands until the cameras tired and slowly drifted away.Even when his long fingers fell away, the frown wouldn’t ease and he shut his eyes to the monotone from the podium. They were praising the upcoming launch of an Indian affiliate of the Games Theory Society in Mumbai over the next two days of 75 marathon discussions.Only when society president Robert Aumann rushed in did a quick, wide smile escape the man. Escape from the flashbulbs and questions on The Beautiful Mind, he must have thought. He was mistaken.Someone asked the game theorists what it is all about. Nash was allowed to speak last. ‘‘There is no point saying the same thing again.’’ he spoke softly. On Day Three in India, Nash had decided he did not want to talk. Whispers in the select gathering said Nash had expressed keen interest in an IIT Kanpur paper on prime numbers. That’s not what everybody wanted to talk about. Can Game Theory solve the Indo-Pak conflict, and what about US-Iraq? And predict coalition governments post-Indian elections? Does Nash Jr want to see the Taj? ‘‘I don’t want to take any questions. Is that the way out?’’ asked Nash again and again as the man with a map on his tie stepped off the podium. Mediapersons and autograph seekers chased him down the corridors and half-way up the stairs to his room.
