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A lot of people are commenting on how the article said there would be no curve, but I interpreted your statement to mean a deeper comparison to other students: the intrinsic value of doing better or worse than them, that translates to actual physical results: better chance at valedictorian than them, better chance to stand out to the teacher, higher overall GPA, etc.

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"better chance to stand out to the teacher"

On reflection, this might make me stop and think about it. It's supposedly anonymous, but it can't be anonymous to the professor, can it, or how would the points be awarded? This professor believes he's simulating the tragedy of the commons, so to act rationally and take the 6 points might cast you in a negative light in his eyes, which might not be worth the 6 points after all.

Exactly. Curve or no curve it doesn't matter.

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