A Childhood Game Blog circa 08/20/05

The games we play...

I often wonder if the childhood games we play at the impressionable ages of 3-13 are merely preparations for the games we continue as adults. Are we doomed as a species to forever widdle the truth so far from its original form, that everything in life becomes a "version of the truth?"

Just think. As kids we played Monopoly...we learned to race around the real estate walk all hoping to land on that infamous boardwalk in order to feed our own greed. We learned greed and selfishness through a vicarious boardgame. We learned to demand things from other people, to bargain with the "lives" of our opponents by trading in personal possessions and assets defined through mass produced 3x3 cards. It was the world according to Parker Brothers Incorporated.

We played "Sorry." We learned that in life, it was okay to crush those that stand between us and our ultimate goals. We can push, walk over, and instill vengeance upon those that stand in our way. Another life lesson brought to you by Parker Brothers.

And when did we learn to lie? When did we learn that it is okay to hide the truth? To keep that which is most important, hidden from the world. To manipulate others to follow our every whim. Perhaps "Uno" remains our devious culprit. We maintained secrecy as kids, we hid our cards, we plotted in secret. We hid the blatant truth that at any moment, those who had viciously forced us to draw more cards and to venture that much farther from victory, would suffer the consequences by our secret "draw 4 cards," our ""Skips," and our "Reverses." We hid these truths only to reveal them at the end when it was to our benefit to do so.

Ah these games we play. So many still play them long after they have left the confines of grade school. From relationships, to friendships, to even those we run into over these blasted online networks, we play. We lie, we manipulate, we "attempt" to make jealous, we scam, we covet, we hide, and worst of all, we make those around us walk away.

Be sure that the game you play results in the right victory. Who is victor in the game, if you are the only one left playing at the end of the day?

To those who think they are the victors, I'm sorry. I only play games for entertainment or money these days. Life games do not interest me :)