So, Monday, as I'm contemplating all the other turmoil I'm sorting out, I hear this story on NPR about how Interactive Games Make Museums A Place To Play. The story is about video games, mostly, and why people find them so compelling (i.e. addictive). The story features Jane McGonigal who works for the
Institute For The Future (how do you get a job THERE?) in Palo Alto, Calif., and is considered
"guru of alternate reality games," or ARGs.
McGonigal says games make people happy — and she takes happiness very seriously. She's come up with four elements she believes we all need to be happy: satisfying work, the experience of being good at something, time spent with people we like, and the chance to be a part of something bigger. Games, she says, do all of these things.
So, I just want to thank the people in my smallish circle of friends for keeping me from scoring an oh-fer on that scale.
Maybe I should spend more time playing games.
McGonigal says games make people happy — and she takes happiness very seriously. She's come up with four elements she believes we all need to be happy: satisfying work, the experience of being good at something, time spent with people we like, and the chance to be a part of something bigger. Games, she says, do all of these things.
So, I just want to thank the people in my smallish circle of friends for keeping me from scoring an oh-fer on that scale.
Maybe I should spend more time playing games.
Believe it not, we recruit via Craigslist! (oh...and referrals from friends). We do have one posted opening - http://www.iftf.org/jobs. May all 4 of those elements be in your life soon!
Posted by: Sean Ness | January 14, 2009 at 07:29 PM
I think she left food out...I've determined that I spend about 80% of my waking hours fantasizing about food and the other 20% eating
Posted by: sister | January 15, 2009 at 10:40 AM