Learning Games for the "Real-World" - Alternate Reality Games - The Cookies

After or while reading, do a cookie game and you will learn and see a personal impact and meaning. Ray's request.

Jane McGonigal with Institute for the Future has researched and developed alternate games that make people move games from virtual level to real-life alternate games.

In this example, "The Myth of Sisyphus" by Albert Camus", Jane started the game "the cookie is still rolling."

I love the inspiration of the game. And let me make a guess about what Jane is trying to accomplish (I could be wrong):

1. There are plenty of games, readings, ideas about life. In this case it is Albert Camus' essay on "Sisyphus" - which tells me the philosophy "The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy."

2. Jane introduced the cookie rolling game for her to express her experiences, needs or concerns (existentially) and encourage others to do the same.

3. Others do the real-life game (See links to photos); organized groups of people do the game the way they best find meaningful.

4. The game has caught on and is still rolling.

I asked myself about the "Why" (see the link For Why) and it occurred to me that Jane is reminding herself and others of a personal philosophy which helps her stay focused on being "happy" in spite the "rocks we have to roll" every day.

Jane says, these games help people develop games to help them stay "happy."

Just going through the readings and photos, already made me happy -- since as a person,
I do struggle with my own rock and I, too, believe Sisyphus is happy.

Ray Jimenez, PhD www.vignettestraining.com
"Helping Learners Learn Their Way"