the reason why we play.

Over the past days, i've made one of these statements:

1) "If i get IT, i'll completely shave my dog bald (from dirty toes all the way to the tip of her now messy moustache), and if i don't get IT, i'll simply leave her as she is."

OR

2) (to one friend and then the other) "do you think i'll get IT?", then once i have established Both a 'Yes' and 'No' response from the same table, i proceed to ask them to play a little game. The game goes like this - if i do get IT, the friend who said 'No' has to give a treat to the friend who said 'Yes'. and if i don't get IT, the friend who said 'Yes' has to give a treat to the friend who said 'No'.


of course i have no idea what caused my silly little brain to come up with all these inane ideas (if u know me well enough, you'll also know i come up with many silly inane ideas on a regular basis).

the difference between this silly inane idea and my last silly inane idea was that i actually Asked Myself why i came up with this silly inane idea.

interesting point to note: i was taking my shower when i asked myself Why Did I Make A Game Out of IT.

Subsidiary Qns -
What are games?

Games are silly imaginative/fictive activities that you engage in to fulfil a certain function (entertainment, alleviate boredom, challenge urself). Games allow you to partially dissolve out of ur current reality into another undetermined/loosely determined reality that you might be able to determine for yourself (if you win or if you're good at playing those games or if you have some degree of choice as to what happens next - something like those thin 'Create Your Own Adventure' books we used to read in primary school where you decide your fate based on the decisions you make about the character)


Main Qns -
Why did I subconsciously choose to make a game out of IT?

well, i think its psychologically prepares me for the results.

take instance 1) as an eg.
the 'game' created seems to show what i would do if i got IT (i'd shave my dog bald all over), but it also suggests what i would be doing should i not get IT (my dog would have the same haircut). The normalcy that is maintained in the event that i dont' get IT actually becomes a stable constant that would buffer my disappointment. Also, i think the ridiculousness of the image of having a dog completely shorn bald also lends some incredulity to the idea that i would get IT. Because of this incredulity, the sense of disappointment i experience might be less because the link between the ridiculous image of my completely naked dog and the success of my getting IT makes Not getting IT seems alright (since getting IT would result in rather silly consequences!)

take instance 2) as an eg.
first - by making sure that there are differing opinions at a table gives one a healthy dose of realism. although there are many who say that i will definitely go, there is, undoubtedly, a possiblity that i might not. And it's only the closest of friends or the most insensitive acquiantances that would heartily agree to the latter option. again. this is an exercise in learning to manage expectations of oneself.
second - the hypothetical nature of the ''if i get IT, you treat her . . . if i dont' get IT, you treat him" phrase also rehearses possiblities (good for when u don't get what you want) and holds a promise of future friendship pursued (your friends have to meet up again for the treat right?). the whole idea of a 'treat' also suggests some kind of positivity that emerges regardless of the circumstances.

Generally the whole concept of gameplay revolves around the batting about of possibilities and choices in a fictive (therefore SAFE) environment. think about simulation exercises vs the Real Thing.

Game Play helps us, prepares us, equips us to move on with our lives regardless of the choices that have been made for us because in our little fictional Reel world, we Look Like we're in control, even though we actually might not be in Real Life.




The humble bath has been my source of inspiration for countless lessons plans, lectures, opinions at interviews, and most importantly, understanding Myself.

Long Live the Humble Showerhead!!!