Episode #463: Brave New Playgrounds: Real-World Games in a Post-Trust Era

I, Stewart Alsop, welcomed Ben Roper, CEO and founder of Play Culture, to this episode of Crazy Wisdom for a fascinating discussion. We kicked things off by diving into Ben's reservations about AI, particularly its impact on creative authenticity, before exploring his innovative project, Play Culture, which aims to bring tactical outdoor games to adults. Ben also shared his journey of teaching himself to code and his philosophy on building experiences centered on human connection rather than pure profit.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation

Timestamps

00:55 Ben Roper on AI's impact on creative authenticity and the dilution of the author's experience.
03:05 The discussion on AI leading to a "simulation of experience" versus genuine, embodied experiences.
08:40 Stewart Alsop explores the nuances of authenticity, honesty, and trust in media and personal interactions.
17:53 Ben discusses how trust is invaluable and often broken by corporate attempts to feign it.
20:22 Ben begins to explain the Play Culture project, discussing the community's confusion about its non-monetized approach, leading into his philosophy of "designing for people, not money."
37:08 Ben elaborates on the Play Culture experience: creating tactical outdoor games designed specifically for adults.
45:46 A comparison of Play Culture's approach with games like Pokémon GO, emphasizing "gentle technology."
58:48 Ben shares his thoughts on the future of augmented reality and designing humanistic experiences.
1:02:15 Ben describes "Pirate Gold," a real-world role-playing pirate simulator, as an example of Play Culture's innovative games.
1:06:30 How to find Play Culture and get involved in their events worldwide.

Key Insights

1. AI and Creative Authenticity: Ben, coming from a filmmaking background, views generative AI as a collaborator without a mind, which disassociates work from the author's unique experience. He believes art's value lies in being a window into an individual's life, a quality diluted by AI's averaged output.
2. Simulation vs. Real Experience: We discussed how AI and even some modern technologies offer simulations of experiences (like VR travel or social media connections) that lack the depth and richness of real-world engagement. These simulations can be easier to access but may leave individuals unfulfilled and unaware of what they're missing.
3. The Quest for Honesty Over Authenticity: I posited that while people claim to want authenticity, they might actually desire honesty more. Raw, unfiltered authenticity can be confronting, whereas honesty within a framework of trust allows for genuine connection without necessarily exposing every raw emotion.
4. Trust as Unpurchasable Value: Ben emphasized that trust is one of the few things that cannot be bought; it must be earned and is easily broken. This makes genuine trust incredibly valuable, especially in a world where corporate entities often feign trustworthiness for transactional purposes.
5. Designing for People, Not Money: Ben shared his philosophy behind Play Culture, which is to "design for people, not money." This means prioritizing genuine human experience, joy, and connection over optimizing for profit, believing that true value, including financial sustainability, can arise as a byproduct of creating something meaningful.
6. The Need for Adult Play: Play Culture aims to fill a void by creating tactical outdoor games specifically designed for adult minds and social dynamics. This goes beyond childlike play or existing adult games like video games and sports, focusing on socially driven gameplay, strategy, and unique adult experiences.
7. Gentle Technology in Gaming: Contrasting with AR-heavy games like Pokémon GO, Play Culture advocates for "gentle technology." The tech (like a mobile app) supports gameplay by providing information or connecting players, but the core interaction happens through players' senses and real-world engagement, not primarily through a screen.
8. Real-World Game Streaming as the Future: Ben's vision for Play Culture includes moving towards real-world game streaming, akin to video game streaming on Twitch, but featuring live-action tactical games played in real cities. This aims to create a new genre of entertainment showcasing genuine human interaction and strategy.

Contact Information
*   Ben Roper's Instagram
*   Website: playculture.com