Explaining “Game B” to my Grandma
I dedicate this article to all my friends, (the ones I know and the ones I am yet to meet) that think Game B is “too heady” and therefore…
I dedicate this article to all my friends, (the ones I know and the ones I am yet to meet) that think Game B is “too heady” and therefore “not for them”. I hope this article brings a smile to your face.
Below is the definition of “Game B” I found on the “Game B” wiki. In bold is the translation I am offering to my fictitious grandma.
“Defining Game B precisely would suffer from the reductionist Game A tendencies. Looking at the constituents of Game B from multiple angles might help to elucidate the concept. Here are some different constructions that point to Game B:”
Grandma, come over, I want to explain something to you. You’re gonna need some strong coffee for this. Are you ready?
It’s going to be a bit tricky to explain this thing called Game B to you because if I try too hard I’ll end up putting Game B “in a box” and this is something that Game A would do.
Are you rolling your eyes, grandma?
I have an idea. To help you understand it better we will chat about all the ingredients necessary to make “Game B”, ok?
Yes, grandma, like a cake.
No, grandma, this is NOT a cooking class. Look, you will get it as we go along, ok? For now, just think that if we explore all the ingredients that make up Game B then we will end up understanding Game B.
We will go through the ingredients now, ok?
I’ll take this silence as a yes.
“Game B is the flag on the hill for an Omni-win civilization that maximizes human flourishing.”
Holy moly…
Game B likes when everyone is happy, grandma.
No, not silly happy, but fulfilled kinda happy, you know?
Ok, grandma, I’ll explain.
It’s like when everyone is happy about doing their bit and their bit helps the larger bit.
Yes, grandma, like when you make jam from the excess oranges Sally gives you and then you give jam to all the neighbours. They have now started giving you some extra eggs too. This is a sign that everyone is happy. When we are happy we are naturally generous. The fruit is happy, Sally is happy, you are happy, the chickens are happy, even the other neighbours are happy.
No, grandma, it is not just about eggs and jam.
I’m going to the next one.
“Game B is the environment that maximizes collective intelligence, collaboration, increasing omni-consideration.”
Game B is like a big heart. Yes, grandma, like your heart. In a big heart we all feel safe to create, collaborate and consider each other and the world.
Oh, grandma, this is the simplest I could make it.
Ok, I’ll try again. It’s like when you can see and care for all the sides, you know? Your side, mum’s side, uncle Bruce’s side, Sally’s side…Yeah grandma you would still have time to cook.
Game B is building or developing the capacity to navigate complexity without resorting to complicated systems.
Game B…oh, Geez, again these big words.
Oh, I’ve got a good one for this, grandma. Game B is like being a good gardener.
A good gardener, like you, knows when the plants need more water, more compost, or you might need to bring in some ladybirds or bees to help out.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, grandma, you see. You do it all the time.
Oh, grandma, finally a smile.
“Game B is establishing coherence within complex systems.”
Oh Man! Grandma is never going to be a part of this…ok, let’s give it a go.
Grandma, I’m losing you. Stay with me.
Game B is kinda like the body. I’ll explain.
We all have organs, you know, and they all have these amazing functions.
The heart does its thing, the lungs do something else. The kidneys are also pretty cool. We need it all to be alive.
The body is a good example of what some call a complex system. Don’t worry about that. You know when you have a headache, or a tummy ache, or asthma? When you have this stuff you don’t feel very well, right? You can’t make jam when you are feeling sick, right grandma? But you know those days that you feel real good? Like you can breathe well, your legs are not hurting, your belly is good. You know these days? This is kinda like Game B. When your body is like that you make the best jam and everyone is happy!!
Yes, grandma, your organs are also happy.
“Game B is a meta-protocol for hyper-collaboration.”
Ok. I’m losing the will to live. But I am determined. Is determination Game A? Never mind…
Grandma, don’t sleep. Game B is like a map. A very big map that helps you work together with others. YES grandma, even with uncle Bruce.
“Game B is the infinite game where the purpose is to continue playing. Game A is the finite game where the purpose is to win.”
Finally an easy one grandma! Game B is like beach tennis. There is no winner and we get sad when the game ends, you know when I play with my cousins? It is so fun!
Game A is like tennis where people play against each other and someone always wants to win.
Oh, you prefer tennis? Never mind…
“Game B is the theoretically optimal condition for creative collaboration and, thus, for maximal innovation.”
Game B is…like when you put the perfect amount of sugar, fruit at the right temperature when you make jam. Not too much, not too little. Some people call that “optimal”. When you have the right amount of fruit, the right amount of sugar AND the right temperature what do you have? YES grandma!! The best jam!
Imagine all that but with people and ideas. Ok, don’t worry grandma.
“Game B must orient its primary innovation capacity towards cultivating individual and collective sovereignty. It must foster awareness of how choices show up and are decided, more than it augments individual and collective power.”
Oh grandma this one is a bit too hard. Just think like this: if uncle Bruce wants to eat all the turkey what is the best way to act? Should you tell uncle Bruce and maybe he’ll be grumpy for the rest of the dinner? Should you stop him from serving himself and he will DEFINITELY be grumpy. Should you gossip to everyone else about him and make him feel ashamed? Or maybe you could have two turkeys…
No grandma, I’m not telling you to get two turkeys. I’m saying you need to think about those things…you know. You have a choice.
I know, I know uncle Bruce can be a pain but this is not the point…oh, for God’s sake.
“Game B is a new mode of societal, economic, and political organization that leverages people’s authentic, long-term interests towards a healthier, more cooperative society and improved well-being. A Game B system is any cooperative, mutually beneficial system that can outcompete exploitative, adversarial systems through manifest appeal and willful, voluntary participation.”
This is the last one grandma. Wake up! Pay attention.
Game B is like when we are honest but no, grandma, not when we just say what we think. It’s when we think if what we say will help the family in the long term, you know. Like, will we be closer if you say something? I know we are already close, grandma. But you know, imagine if we were closer but not in a nosy kinda way. Oh, you don’t know what I am talking about grandma?
Ok, I know how to explain.
Imagine that we are like a garden, grandma. Yes, again the garden but this time WE are the garden. We all have a role. The bees, the flies, the flowers, the soil, the worms, the sun, the water, the seeds. Everything working together and not competing with each other.
You got it, grandma!! Great!
Oh…the weeds? Mmmmm…
They are actually quite Game B. But don’t worry about that for now, I learned it in permaculture.
Yes grandma P-E-R-M-A-C-U-L-T-U-R-E.
Oh, man, I’m done!
I love this piece. Such a warm and inviting vibe! I'm imagining a series... "Game B for X".