The Anthropocene Reviewed

Tetris and the Seed Potatoes of Leningrad

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Nov 15, 2018
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ANECDOTE

Tetris Origins

  • Alexey Pajitnov created Tetris in 1984 while working at the Soviet Academy of Sciences.
  • He designed it as a simple game to test computer capabilities, incorporating tetrominos and naming it after his favorite sport, tennis.
ANECDOTE

Tetris Ownership Disputes

  • Pajitnov gave distribution rights to the Soviet government, leading to complex legal battles over ownership.
  • Despite Tetris's success in the US and on Game Boy, Pajitnov initially received no royalties.
INSIGHT

Tetris and Capitalism

  • Tetris's story reflects capitalism, where value creation and capture often don't align.
  • While Pajitnov eventually profited, others became rich from his game without contributing to its creation.
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