Demonizing Dungeons & Dragons

This book explores the conceptual origins of wargames and role-playing games, detailing how gamers transitioned from simulating wars to simulating people. It delves into the history of conflict simulations, fantasy literature, and the social context of 1960s-70s America that led to the creation of Dungeons & Dragons. The book is based on extensive archival research, including primary sources from eighteenth-century strategists to modern hobbyists, and provides a deep dive into the culture and individuals that shaped the role-playing game genre[1][3][5].

Published in 1937, 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck is a novella that tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression. The narrative revolves around their dream of owning a small farm, a symbol of the American Dream. However, their plans are continually thwarted by circumstances, including Lennie's accidental killing of the ranch owner's daughter-in-law, which leads to a tragic conclusion. The book is known for its vivid portrayal of farm life, its exploration of themes such as loneliness, friendship, and the harsh realities of the labor system, and its objective narrative style. It has been widely adapted into stage and film versions and remains a significant work in American literature[1][3][5].

In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'. Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion. He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.

The book recounts the 1979 disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III, a 16-year-old computer genius and avid Dungeons & Dragons player, from Michigan State University. Egbert's disappearance sparked rumors of witch cults, drug rings, and other explanations. Private investigator William C. Dear was hired by the Egbert family and conducted a meticulous search, including crawling through tunnels and using helicopters. Dear eventually discovered that Egbert had entered the university's utility tunnels with the intent of committing suicide but went into hiding instead. The book also addresses the media controversy surrounding Dungeons & Dragons and the eventual tragic outcome of Egbert's story, who committed suicide less than a year after the incident.