To achieve this, governments and corporations must live by a system of shared norms.

CNN: Great and good to gather at Davos to tackle new reality

For players on both sides, large-scale battles are critical for establishing shared norms related to us-versus-them or good-versus-evil scenarios.

FORBES: Studying Player Commitment To MMORPGs

This year's theme, "Shared Norms for the New Reality, " is about reprogramming the world so that the way we interact and do business is more inclusive -- lofty ambitions indeed.

CNN: All you need to know to be a Davos delegate

But with most countries emerging slowly from the gloom, the theme at this year's annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) -- Shared Norms for the New Reality -- is intended to move the agenda away from collective navel-gazing, towards a post-crisis mindset based on pragmatic realism.

CNN: Great and good to gather at Davos to tackle new reality

Obesity seems to spread in networks because of behavioral imitation -- you copy what people close to you are doing -- and shared expectations called "norms, " the authors said.

CNN: Obesity, STDs flow in social networks

If workplaces can prevent wage and salary information from being shared, it may stop fairness norms from getting in the way of employment maximizing wages.

FORBES: Should Employers Be Allowed To Prevent Workers From Sharing Their Salary Information?