A Discussion on TED: Jane McGonigal: Gaming

[akirsteninthesky]

Alright, before you discuss with us, you should probably watch the video here: www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world.html
You can also find other interesting discussions and talks on the site as well!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alright, I will begin.

When I first began to watch this video, I did not understand AT ALL what she meant, or how she even made logical sense. Once I got through the video, I agreed with her completely.

Through more and more gaming, we learn that we can achieve anything if we forget about the time it takes and how hard it will be to complete our task. We know it will be difficult, we know it will take lots of patience, but we are not concerned. We KNOW we can do it.

Now that I started a discussion, please feel free to comment, discuss and even disagree!

[sarahendipity]

I decided to subscribe TED Talks on iTunes podcasts, and this was the first one I downloaded. It is an absolutely inspiring speech! I admit that I play video games a lot, especially Nintendo stuff. Also, one of my best friends is a huge World of Warcraft nerd, and I showed it to her. Usually she's not into the inspiring speech sort of stuff that TED Talks are generally all about. However, she loved this.
I really want to get on those online gaming communities the speaker set up to help solve world problems. They sound incredibly interesting, especially the last one she recently developed. The whole PogoTribe needs to get in on it.

[jeremalaria]

we watched this video in one of my classes last night, and i think it is kindof funny, the whole class was thinking about making games that will teach people to be better people, but i was thinking "how can we make real life more like a game?"

[maplecoast]

People on games tend to show more emotion then they normally would in real life. For instance a personal friend of mine has a split personality between real life and games. In real life he is a quiet, shy sort of person while in games he is loud and boisterous and sometimes downright offensive. This is a point i feel she failed to touch down on, games bring out the worst in a lot of people and most wont hesitate to help a player in need, If it benefits them.
I used to play WoW, i quit not to long ago to move on to bigger things (life) and was shocked when it clicked that many skills i picked up playing this game throughout high school transfered into real life, So there definitely is some good in Mmorpg's. To get back to my original point though. Most gamers don't care about you personally (some do click and stay with you) if they help you it will be used in the future as leverage.
I now have friends all over the world and have had my eyes opened to the ways, cultures, languages and fads of nearly five different civilizations (lack of better term, work leaves me brain dead). This is a fantastic idea and could prove to be helpful and expand on an exponential level, but there are a few kinks that need to be worked out. People change a lot when the mask they wear is taken off.

[tamc1337]

WoW definitely helped me gain a good economically responsible mindset.

[mooxim]

her game superstruct is basically what pogotribe is.

[mooxim]

I reckon this is genious. Just the other day actually, I was thinking about how cool it would be if getting an education was as easy as playing games. Having really clearly defined levels and instant feedback after a test. I also think that having an avatar is a big part of reducing the fear of failure.

Actually I made some notes on my ideas:

It would be good to have internationally recognised levels of knowledge or skill.
Free online tests.
Wikipedia could have levelled pages or level filters so that players don't find themselves out of their depth.
Passing the free online tests would likely lead to the players wanting to certify their achievements so that employers can recognise them. This could be done at a regulated test centre (because it's easy to cheat at home).

I tried breaking down the causes of the four qualities that gamers have. These causes are also the elements that need to be transferred into more parts of real life.

• Specific, level-tailored tasks.
• Immersion in fictional awe inspiring missions, planetary scale stories and adventures. (inspires but keeps off fear of failure)
• Sense of self-importance and significance.
• Challenging each other.
• Transparent need for team work. Mutual benefits for collaborators: Same goals, same rules, different, equally important roles, same dedication.
• Regular, instant feedback and rewards.

and I'd like to add another couple of things which she didn't go into but I think are important:

• Avatar (keeps off fear of failure)
• Building up a reputation

My education idea only incorporates two of these elements.

[punion]

On the verge of an epic win...
Motivated to do something that matters...
Ready to respond at a moment's notice...
Showing up and trusting other collaborators...
Inspired by the cause...

Investing our gaming time in collaboration (10K hours by age 21=5th to 12th grades)
Mastering gaming as virtuosi (an hour/day)

Superpowers to be applied to the real world too:
Urgent optimism (the possibility of an epic win)
Tight social fabric (based on bonding)
Blissful productivity (happy working hard meaningfully)
Epic meaning (awe inspiring missions)

Feedback and rewards support gaming
Like 4,000 years ago, we can eat one day, play games one day, (to survive an unsatisfying real life?)...
So for 16 years we have played War Craft. 1/2 of us can take on playing games until we solve world problems: not by predicting, but by making the future.
Dream Teams Imagining the Future of the World
We have until May 12, 2010 to become founding members of the EVOKE network.

WOW

[Deleted]

I saw it, and I must say it's really really interesting.
I for one am someone who's having problems with perseverance and long term motivation in real life, but not in games. If real life was more like a game, I would probably be able to change that.

[punion]

so did you go to urgentevoke.com and look at the game? I want to play...