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This-essay is a7311083.htm which is available at the web-site www.essayz.com. See more notes at the bottom. Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay By-Months By-Years By-Words Webs of Like-&-Un-Like ESSAYS <==> Like-&-UN-Like This-One ========================================================== %PLAY GAMES 731108 We often engage in games for the sake of entertainment. There are certain rules regarding what actions participants may take, what the consequences of each such actions are, and rules about deciding who wins. The game continues so long as the participants abide by the rules to their mutual satisfaction---and ends when somebody wins. The game may be played again, of course. Within the formal structure of a game---human relationships are structured. It is usually true that in order to win there must be an element of secrecy if not outright friendly deception. To the extent that participants take the game seriously dialogue is reduced, or at least restricted to matters which are irrelevant to the winning of the game at hand. Authentic meeting, unrestricted creativity, and spontaneity are out of place while seriously playing a game. Not all games are played for the sake of entertainment. In a competitive society many aspects of life become serious games with certain implicit rules regarding conduct and winning. The stakes may be high and include self-esteem, self-image, reputation, a viable income, freedom, and life itself. Thus the participants may understandably take the games very seriously. One may not fail-safe playing such a game. It is essential to win. For this reason the rules may be constantly changing, but only implicitly and/or covertly. There is a certain sense of security in a structured situation, even if it is not completely to one's liking and advantage. Life may have hope and meaning---even in the context of a game which one is unlikely to win; provided the rules are known and can be trusted to remain fixed. Even though communications are stylized and based on ulterior motives, some sort of human community is possible --- even though with little authentic meeting. If, however, people are playing games and there is no power to keep the rules fixed, then anxiety is increased, as people may feel they are in a can't-win-situation. It is impossible to develop techniques which assure a pay- off. Not only is there no hope and meaning in dialogue, there isn't the assurance that it is possible to win. If the stakes are particularly high, as in the cold war, the anxiety and alienation are correspondingly high. No participant can win---except as all quit playing the game, and return to authentic meetings. (c) 1999 by Paul A. Smith in GO: essayz.com "Search for Integrity and Honesty" (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================
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This-essay is a7311083.htm which is available at the web-site www.essayz.com. These 5 lines echo top lines. Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay By-Months By-Years By-Words Webs of Like-&-Un-Like ESSAYS <==> Like-&-UN-Like This-One