The Philosophical Fun of Games: A Look at C. Thi Nguyen
Who is C. Thi Nguyen?
Meet C. Thi Nguyen, the philosophical wizard hanging out at the University of Utah. He’s not just your average professor; he’s all about making you think deep thoughts—like, really deep thoughts—about the games we play!
Games: Not Just for Kids!
Nguyen’s book, Games: Agency as Art, flips the script on how we see games. Forget the idea that games are just about winning or losing; he dives into the juicy world of human agency—basically, how games let us strut our stuff, show our minds, and express ourselves. It’s like taking a stroll through an art gallery, but instead of paintings, you’re dodging obstacles and leveling up.
What’s the Score?
Now, let’s talk about his latest brainchild, The Score. This isn’t about your favorite band jamming out; it’s all about how we measure life. Scores and metrics are everywhere, shaping our reality like a DJ spinning tracks at a party. Nguyen takes a magnifying glass to these numbers to show us how they reflect what we value and, surprisingly, alter our priorities. Spoiler alert: it’s not always what you think!
Bringing Fun Back to Serious Stuff
Nguyen argues that we shouldn’t have to sacrifice enjoyment for efficiency. Why can’t we have both? After all, life is too short to skip the fun while sprinting towards productivity! So, the next time you’re deep in a game—or even just nursing a cup of coffee—remember, it’s not just play; it’s a path to understanding ourselves a little better.