three
#3 of Drunk Work Scribblings from Fall 2019
(originally written November 18, 2019)
"Let's play a game."
Games are funny.
Board games, video games, sports, and the like.
Games bring out the competitive nature in some people.
Games bring down the defenses of people that are always with their guard up.
Games do something to us and we often like their effects.
What makes games so special, though?
What makes games something that we wish to play with other people?
What is the appeal?
Why can't people just entertain each other by conversation, thought experiments, and old-fashioned trash-talking?
Is there some of light-hearted nature to games that makes it easoer for people to communicate each other and share experiences?
Is there some sort of unspoken channel of communication that is created when people play a game together?
What about games that are rigged?
What about games in which everyone knows they will lose?
What about games in which gameplay is physically or fiscally painful?
What is the appeal?
Are games a threat?
Are games a form of distraction?
Why can't people just talk to each other and enjoy the social dynamics of a deep conversation?
I don't want to play games, anymore.
I just want to love people.