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by einpoklum 1832 days ago
> But the point of games is to win

Different people, or groups, play games for different reasons:

* Sublimate conflicts (it's probably better than physical fighting)

* Learn / hone skills

* Feel personal challenge, tension, suspense

* Passing the time.

* Experience other players' "game-table-side banter"

* Attention diverter from munching snacks.

* Making a romantic pass at another player (it's been known to happen!)

etc. For some of these, winning is part of how you achieve your objective; for others it doesn't matter; and for others still it's detrimental!

1 comments

See also the investigation of So Long Sucker in The Trap. Quoting Wikipedia:

>The programme traces the development of game theory, with particular reference to the work of John Nash [...] He invented system games that reflected his beliefs about human behaviour, including one he called 'Fuck You Buddy' (later published as "So Long Sucker"), in which the only way to win was to betray your playing partner, and it is from this game that the episode's title is taken. These games were internally coherent and worked correctly as long as the players obeyed the ground rules that they should behave selfishly and try to outwit their opponents, but when RAND's analysts tried the games on their own secretaries, they were surprised to find that instead of betraying each other, the secretaries cooperated every time.

> He invented system games that reflected his beliefs about human behaviour, including one he called 'Fuck You Buddy'

Such a beautiful mind :-(