"I don't want to play games"

Yes, you do! Games are essential to human connection. We all engage in them, sometimes mindlessly.

It's not inherently negative; it can even be a way we learn to survive. Sometimes we can define the rules of our game, sometimes the rules are dictated to us.

There are games where everyone wins. Where there are no losers. These games offer full transparency and choice to possible players. They are games of building alongside others, and games of care.

Then there are games where someone, others, and eventually you are destined to lose. These are diabolical games, and I don't recommend them. This is the space where war and abuse exist.

We can change the game.

For enduring and meaningful relationships, seek out those whose "game" aligns with yours – individuals who share your life goals or understand your struggles.

Many professions embody this: the plumber solving problems, the EMT responding to emergencies. Society itself is a complex game of occupations, finances, and aspirations.

  • Doctors fix injury and disease in patients. So what happens when we experience chronic illness and seek medical attention and support?
  • Law enforcement catches the 'bad guys'. And disproportionately targets and assigns this by race and income
  • Plumbers stop leaks and make your pipes and drains work.
  • Homeless people play a daily game of survival to meet their living needs in an increasingly hostile world.
  • Soldiers follow orders and carry out war.
  • Trade and wealth accumulation are games.

Embracing, and owning to the game you are playing, you unlock motivation. We have the potential to collectively design a game where everyone prospers, a prospect that understandably threatens those who benefit from the current imbalance.

Jobs are the old game

Humans and many other living beings are inherently drawn to games, a fascination that persists from childhood into adulthood, though our games become more sophisticated. Viewing reality through the lens of a game can be a powerful coping mechanism and empowerment tool.

Currently, society is engaged in a complex "Job" Game, often embodied by capitalism. This highly competitive, cutthroat system rewards obedience and labor but simultaneously breeds exploitation, inequality, and ecological destruction. Despite the harm, the rules are deeply ingrained, and many continue to play even when losing.

What is needed is a shift: a collective decision to quit this destructive game and invent a new one. This new game must fundamentally change our mindset, favoring genuine cooperation and mutual support over intense competition. It should inspire a shared, positive future, attracting people through its inherent wonder and collaborative spirit.

You can change the game you are playing, it's not too late