ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Non-zero-sum

Non-zero-sum refers to a situation where there can be a win-win or lose-lose outcome in a game or interaction between two or more people.

Think of it like sharing a piece of cake with your friend. If you both want the same size piece, you can cut the cake equally so that you both get what you want. This is a non-zero-sum situation because both of you are happy with the outcome.

On the other hand, a zero-sum situation would be like playing a game of tug-of-war where there is only one rope and one team wins while the other loses. In this case, there cannot be a win-win outcome because one team's success depends on the other team's failure.

In essence, a non-zero-sum situation allows for cooperation and compromise, whereas a zero-sum situation creates competition and conflict.