NPR's Book of the Day ‘How a Game Lives,’ ‘How to Save the Internet’ show the best and worst of life online
10 snips
Dec 12, 2025 Jacob Geller, a video essayist and cultural critic known for his insightful YouTube essays, discusses his new book, How a Game Lives. He reveals how video games can address profound life questions and shares intriguing connections between gaming narratives and classic literature. Geller also talks about the significance of preserving contemporary gaming culture in print. Following him, former Meta executive Nick Clegg explores internet regulation and digital democracy, emphasizing the crucial role of India in maintaining an open internet for the future.
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Games As Legitimate Art Forms
- Jacob Geller argues video games belong in the same artistic conversation as movies, books, and architecture.
- Games combine narrative and mechanics to make players feel specific emotions in ways other media cannot.
Frostpunk Triggered A Childhood Memory
- Geller recounts playing Frostpunk and recalling a childhood story while struggling to keep a city alive in-game.
- That flashback helped him connect game decisions to real-life memories and themes.
Mechanics Create Unique Emotional Experiences
- Geller notes games use mechanics and player interaction to evoke feelings that other media cannot.
- Mechanics let players make choices and feel consequences, offering unique material for cultural analysis.
