 This sort of case exposes one of many fundamental differences between the logic of non-parametric and parametric maximization. In parametric situations, an agent can never be made worse off by having more options. (Even if a new option is worse than the options with which she began, she can just ignore it.) But where circumstances are non-parametric, one agent’s strategy can be influenced in another’s favour if options are visibly restricted. Cortez’s burning of his boats (see  Section 1)  is, of course, an instance of this, one which serves to make the usual metaphor literal.