Your Brain is Hardwired to Love Games with Kelly Clancy
Jun 19, 2024
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Bioscientist Kelly Clancy discusses the essential role games play in development, history, and the natural world. Topics include the evolution of play in animals, the influence of games on society, the impact of war games on empathy, and the appeal of decision-making in games versus real life struggles.
Games are essential for human development, history, and even in the natural world.
Game theory influences decision-making and military strategies, shaping our understanding of uncertainty.
Games go beyond entertainment, fostering empathy, experiential learning, and understanding diverse perspectives.
Deep dives
The Origins and Evolution of Games
Games have been a fundamental part of human history, with animals also engaging in playful behaviors. The concept of play is hardwired into our brains, serving as a way to socialize and prepare for future events. From ancient game boards like Mancala to sports like canoeing in Mesoamerica and lacrosse among the Six Nations, games have served various functions throughout history.
The Significance of Games in Art, Science, and Society
Games have transcended mere entertainment, with their importance evolving over time. They serve as a reflection of human decision-making and agency, shaping our understanding of uncertainty and social interactions. Game theory, developed by John von Neumann, laid the groundwork for concepts like mutually assured destruction, influencing military strategies. Games have also been used in the military for training and planning, highlighting their impact on policy and decision-making.
Harnessing Games for Education and Empathy
Games have been utilized beyond entertainment, such as in military simulations and disaster preparedness scenarios like Hurricane Pam. Commercial games like 'This War of Mine' aim to evoke empathy by placing players in challenging real-world situations. The interactive nature of games provides a unique platform for experiential learning and developing a deep understanding of diverse perspectives.
The Influence of Probability Theory on Decision Making
Probability theory, as realized by Renaissance mathematicians, revolutionized decision-making processes by providing a means to quantify chance and predict outcomes. The ability to assign probabilities to events, such as forecasting a 50% chance of rain, transformed decision-making from uncertainty to calculated risk assessment, granting individuals more control over the future through mathematical insights from studying games and uncertain situations.
The Complexities of Game Design and Model Limitations
Game design intricacies extend to influencing behavior through scoring systems and mechanisms that incentivize specific actions. Games, while offering immersive experiences and self-transcendence, also present challenges like addictive elements and potential manipulation of player values and behaviors. Furthermore, games serve as models for real-world applications, such as kidney exchange markets, highlighting the balance between game simulation and real-world relevance.
Games often get a bad rap as mere distractions, the frivolous filler between so-called "important things." But research into the connection between people and games reveals that they’re not just beneficial—they're essential. This week, Adam is joined by bioscientist and neurophysicist Kelly Clancy, author of Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World, to explore the pivotal role games play in our development, history, and even in the natural world beyond humans. Find Kelly's book at factuallypod.com/books
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