As you know, a nash equilibrium is the point at which no player can benefit from a move away from the equilibrium. However, that's a concept from game theory. What is the game here? Who are the players?

Part of my point is that you might think that the game is "scientists vs. politicians, ignoramuses, and fear-mongers," but that's not the case. Sometimes they're all on the same side. Imagine a 4 player split-screen Star Fox, where the scientist leaves their controller and helps the others shoot down their plane because they don't think they can win. If that sounds baffling, it is.