Thinking About Life as a Game

Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about school, the summer, my future, etc. I always found it hard to think a week in advance, let alone a whole lifetime, but I have nonetheless done a lot of thinking about my life in the present and where I want to take it in the future. Like everyone I am focused on working during the summer, gaining work/internship experience. But I am also starting to think more about my future. Graduation is not to far away, which means the LSAT is near, a career is near, a family is near, and all that other good stuff. For me, it has always been hard to imagine how the future would take shape because I have always embraced the spontaneity of life. Just as important, I am scared about what the future holds. Will I succeed?will I fail? What happens if I fail? How will I live a life worth living? All these questions and many more have got me thinking about the fears of growing up.

Despite the concerns I have about my future, I have started to view my life in different manner and it has been eye-opening and liberating. Lately I have begun to think of life as a game, more specifically video games.

One of the main features of video games is that their are multiple lives. When video game character dies, he is instantly able to respawn and the player is able to attempt to reach his goal. If a character runs out of lives, the player is simply able to restart the game and try to reach his goal.

Obviously life cannot operate like a video game, and it would certainly be less interesting if it did. But, what if the mentality of video games could be applied to life; the carefree and risk taking mentality of video games. If we as humans could live life knowing that everything that happens in life pales in comparison to death, think about how fun and exciting life could be. If in every death (i.e. failure) there was a rebirth (i.e. a new opportunity) we would be able to enjoy the richness and pleasures of life without worrying nearly as much about failing. Steve Jobs talked a little bit about this idea in his 2005 Stanford Commencement address. If you get a chance you should watch his speech.

In any case, life ought not be taken so seriously. The pressures and expectations of life can be daunting at times, but if we think of life as a game (only to a certain extent) maybe we will be able to live a life without the pressure and hopefully that would be a life worth living.

Delicate Games

For the past three years, I have worked with an organization called Sunrise Day Camp. Sunrise is a nonprofit organization that offers free summer camp to any child with cancer and their siblings. If you think the camp is a gloomy, slow paced, sad environment, YOU ARE WRONG. This camp is quite the opposite.

The campers look forward to coming all year and act is if each day is a whole new adventure. The staff and directors of the camp constantly program exciting volunteer guests and activities that the campers really look forward to. At camp, basically everything that is done is a game. However, sunrise is different since it is considered to be a medical camp. The counselors and nursing staff need to be fully attentive at all times to ensure the safety of each and every camper. While we do play games, the games are altered to be safe and fun for all. Last year, one camper in my group, Emmanuel, was in a wheel chair and had very weak bones due to his extensive chemotherapy. Watching the campers rally around Emmanuel each day was truly inspiring. One particular time that was memorable was when we were playing baseball for the first time (we play with a foam ball and plastic bat). Baseball is Emmanuel’s favorite sport and on this day, he was determined to participate. A particularly thoughtful camper took it upon himself to help Emmanuel stand up and hit the ball. Every camper then cheered and high-fived Emmanuel as he gleamed from ear to year. He was ecstatic throughout the day and could not wait until the next time we played.

The camp taught me many things about children and games. Games are what keep these kids alive, so Sunrise came up with a way to take this camp one step further. For many of the campers, they spend countless hours in hospitals receiving treatment or in waiting rooms anxiously waiting to see the doctor. Sunrise on Wheels is an organization that brings camp into the hospitals. Sunrise on Wheels goes to various hospitals in New York each month and brings board games, arts and crafts, video games, and numerous other stimulating games for children. When the campers get to see their counselors with their sunrise shirts on, it immediately brings a smile to their face, even in such difficult circumstances.

Games are everywhere. By seeing the campers at Sunrise Day Camp interact with each other through games, I truly was able to see how impactful games are on our lives. Although the campers do have cancer and are fighting terrible illnesses, I guarantee there are more smiles and happiness at this camp than any other.

For more information about the camp: www.sunrisedaycamp.org

Intra-team Dynamics and the Use of Language

A while ago we discussed the use of language, language games, and competition through language. This past weekend demonstrated to me the importance of language in shaping our relationships, and defining us. Last Thursday, early in the morning, I left with the Mock Trial team to compete in the National Championship Tournament in Minneapolis, MN. We had a great weekend, and did very well, however the circumstances of us going were what interested me the most. At our previous tournament we got 5th place which earned us a bid, however "we" are the Michigan B team. I am a co-captain of a team of technically "second tier" competitors. Over the course of the semester our team as been change, people have been moved between teams, and we have been forced to be very adaptable. At our last tournament we did not expect to earn a bid, we were happy that we came as far as we did, so when they called our name we ecstatic. However, our "A" team got 12th place, their name was not called, and it was their last tournament.

Ultimately we filled up the two extra spots on our team with two members from our A team. We told our friends and family, and all got ready to go to Nationals. My friend that was on our C team came to support us and noticed something very interesting, the original members of our team called it "our team" while the new members called it "this team". Additionally, the members of the A team that did not make it to Nationals told everyone "our team is not going to Nationals". Even more, the new members told their friends "my team did not make it but since another one did, and they are taking me, I get to compete still".

Now this is not that surprising, except for the juxtaposition with the members from our C team. The members of our C team, whose season has been over for time, told friends and family "our team is going to Nationals". Since our entire program consists of only 30 members, we are all very close friends. We support each other and understand we are all on the same team. At the end of the day, whether on A, B or C team, we are all representatives of Michigan Mock Trial. If we all understand that we are one team, then why does this difference in language occur? It is understandable that the members of the best team in our program not competing at Nationals would be upset, but the type of language used shows the divide between our teams. This language is not direct, snide or mean. Instead it is, subtle and unconscious. However, the small change from "our team" to "this team" has huge implications to the team dynamic. It reveals the underlying competition and jealousy between the members in our programs. The same members that are all best friends. Anytime teams are in competition with each other, there will be competition between individuals as well. Is there a way to combat this in the future? Is there a way to keep our team united and proud of our program no matter the outcome? Over the last few weeks I have tried to find this, but this subtle language reveals it will never be complete.

The Worst Game in the World: Registration

            After fighting through the frustrations of registration for the Fall Semester, I gave myself some time to reflect on the entire process. Ultimately, what I realize, like with many things over the majority of this course, is that registering for classes is just one big game. I mean think about it. People sit at their computers days before their registration date, making their ideal schedules with no Fridays, and no early mornings, only to learn two days before you register that half of those classes are filling up. So you begin to panic and scurry around for other classes that fill certain requirements and fit in your schedule enough that you don’t need to tweak it enough. And then, when you finally find the right combination of classes the night before registration, odds are, in the morning, one of those classes will be wait-listed. It truly is a game, as students must find classes that fit in their time schedules, fill specific requirements and are in specific subject area and at the same time, compete with 20,000 other students to get in the class.

            While Michigan’s process of class registration is very similar to a game, the difference between signing up for classes in the fall and winter is the fact that there is a whole summer before classes begin. Those who take more credits are in turn rewarded by getting earlier registration dates, just like in a game, the more you do, the better options you have as the game progresses. However, in the summer, it is all up to the player whether or not his or her schedule will change. Four months is a long time away from school and many students will find that they forget about the upcoming semester to focus on other things like summer jobs and internships or other things to occupy time. However, the university begins to open seats in classes which, for those paying attention to Wolverine Access allows students a second chance into classes that might have been filled up when they registered, almost like a respawn in a shooting game. Students will check daily to see if they moved up slots on the waitlist or if new seats opened up. Sometimes the university even opens new sections, which allows for a group of students to get into the class. As long as you are willing to wait out the waitlist, generally, you will be rewarded. However, there are those times where the waitlist just doesn’t work out and alternatives must be put into effect.  Overall, while it is a stretch, registration for classes certainly does resemble many aspects of gaming and in order to win, you must find multiple sets of the best schedule for yourself and just pray that you have enough credits to beat out the other person with the same exact set of classes. 

 

            However, even when it seems as though you have failed, and you waited throughout the whole summer, checking everyday to see whether or not you have moved up on the waitlist and never did, there is still one more option. For those students outgoing and ambitious enough to do it, like in all games, there is one cheat code in the system of registration. Students who show up on the first session of classes, even if he or she is still on the waitlist or not even enrolled often times can talk to the professor after class and will be granted an override slip, and ultimate acceptance into the class. This is truly the final chance a student has to get enrolled as the professor ultimately hold all the power in this game. So for those who are number 78 on the waitlist for a class in Fall of 2012, wait it out for as long as you can bare, and I wish you the best of luck.

The Game of Picking Classes

Everyone who goes to Michigan knows how intense backpacking and registering can get sometimes. You are a week away from your registration date, and you go to Wolverine Access to check out the classes you backpacked. A week ago, every class was open with plenty of seats. Obviously now half of the classes you were planning on taking were full and you have to scramble to fill your schedule. It seems like there are no available classes to fill your requirements, and you may start to panic.

Picking your schedule is a talent. You need to see how many credits you need, allocated to what departments, and then you pick the (easiest) best classes to fill the time slots. Of course, you make sure to avoid Fridays, and attempt to wake up as late as possible. Then you magically mesh the classes together to fill the perfect schedule. I don’t know about everyone else, but when it is my time to register, I am staring at the clock ready to click “proceed to next step” and finish registering.

It is a game, sort of. You have a list of choices, put them in a shopping cart, and then either take your chances on a wait list, or fit the right pieces together covering a full semester of classes. There are ways to essentially “cheat” in this game too. If you only plan on taking 15 credits, but want to get on some wait lists to see if you get into a preferred class, you can backpack multiple classes and just wait on the wait list to see if a spot opens up. Or, you can take a class pass/fail that you need for requirements, and put more effort into other classes to raise your GPA.

What I am trying to say is that scheduling in college has many aspects of game theory. There are rules, restrictions, requirements, time constraints, objectives, and opponents (other students competing for the same spots in classes). By being savvy and experienced in this game, you can find ways to get the schedule you want, with the classes you need. As of now, I have 8:30 a.m. classes Monday-Thursday next semester; hopefully I will be able to use some game theory to change that up.

Shopping Game

As a guy who doesn't do a whole lot of shopping I am not sure how qualified I am to even write this post, but I am going to attempt it anyways. Shopping is a part of everyone’s life, but if you think about it there is actually a lot of strategy involved. First, you have to budget your money. People save up to buy a new pair of shoes or a new shirt, etc. It gets harder though, not only do you have to save up for these items, you have to use your money strategically. People put items on hold to make sure they aren't buying a shirt at one store when then might like another one better at another store. However, if you do happen to buy something you don't want you can always go back in return it. In addition, shopping can be like a game of hide and seek. Some stores are so big you have to go through it in order so you don't miss anything. Lastly, this part pretty much only applies to girls, but shopping can almost sometimes be like a race because once your friend buys something you can apparently no longer buy that same article of clothing or accessary. My girlfriend and her friends for example always send each other pictures of clothes after they buy them to make sure no one else buys the same thing. This all seems very silly, and that last part to me sounds the most outrages (that’s probably just because I am a guy and just don't understand) but it is a very real and potent game everyone seems to play. Shopping has a lot of strategy involved in it. While there aren't really any winners or losers except your wardrobe, it still takes careful planning at times and to relate even more back to this course has its own magical circle in that of the store, mall, or online shopping website. In addition, taking this one step further, shopping has even branched off to form other games such as raffles for shopping sprees and free clothes giveaways. Shopping doesn't seem like much, but there is definitely more to it than meets the eye.

Drinking Games

As college students, I’m sure most of us are familiar with drinking games weather we should be or not is a different story. Anyways, drinking games are probably one of the most dangerous games people can play. Most of these games force people to drink fast, even it if is small quantities. However, after a while those small quantities add up and the player most likely starts to become very drunk. It is one thing to get drunk, but more often than not I have found people get drunk quicker by playing these games than by just drinking casually or taking a couple shots. These games also differ in that many of these are races and the point is to drink quickly which in it of itself is not safe. I find that most college students play these games, but there are a lot of students that don't know when to stop and become belligerent, putting themselves and their peers at risk. I am sure almost all college students can attribute a night of drunkenness or a terrible hangover to playing that one last game of beer pong or flip cup. It seems like every Sunday afternoon I hear someone saying "I shouldn't have played that much flip cup, I feel like shit." I am probably a hypocrite for writing all of this, but I find it necessary to reflect on some of my mistakes I suppose. Anyways, while drinking games are fun and are part of college life and the experience of college, I encourage everyone to not play that last game of beer pong or flip cup that puts them over the edge. Thus, everyone stay safe and drink responsibly.