Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 191 | Jane McGonigal on How to Imagine the Future
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Apr 4, 2022 
In a fascinating conversation, game designer and futurist Jane McGonigal explores how gaming can enhance our ability to foresee and prepare for future challenges. She discusses the power of mental time travel and techniques for envisioning diverse outcomes. McGonigal highlights how games can cultivate resilience, improve problem-solving skills, and foster collaborative communities. She also emphasizes the importance of identifying 'green flags' for positive relationships and the role of creativity in navigating crises, making the future seem more imaginable and achievable.
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Gaming Advice
- Try different games, especially multiplayer ones, to improve skills like flexible thinking and collaboration.
- Ask friends for game recommendations and let them teach you; this strengthens relationships and provides mentorship.
Benefits of Gaming
- Gamers develop resilience and self-efficacy by persisting through challenges and learning from failures.
- Discussing these skills helps translate them to real-world situations, fostering a growth mindset.
Candy Crush Labor
- The collective time spent on Candy Crush Saga rivals the combined workforce of Walmart, McDonald's, and the Chinese army.
- McGonigal suggests redirecting even a small fraction of this effort towards real-world problem-solving games.