Conferences at Department of Economics, University of Toronto, Canadian Economic Theory Conference 2010

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Communication, Timing, and Common Learning

Jakub Steiner, Colin Stewart*

Date: 2010-05-22 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Last modified: 2010-05-17

Abstract


We study the eff ect of stochastically delayed communication on common knowledge acquisition (common learning). If messages do not report dispatch times, communication prevents common learning under general conditions even if common knowledge is acquired without communication. If messages report dispatch times, communication can destroy common learning under more restrictive conditions. The failure of common learning in the two cases is based on diff erent infection arguments. Communication
can destroy common learning even if it ends in fi nite time, or if agents communicate all of their information. We also identify conditions under which common learning is preserved in the presence of communication.

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