The Game

I just finished reading an amazing book by the name of “The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists.” Now, I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it was true at first. I bought the book to have it teach me how to get girls. Unfortunately, I am just as ignorant of the female mind as I was when I got the book. But it did give me a unique insight into my own mind. I could even take it as far as to say that it was existential.

Many years ago, when I was just a mere junior, I was asked a question. In fact the tale of this question(and the resulting answer) was regaled multiple times to multiple people. Some considered it funny. Others were like, “Wow GeorgeHotz.” Many claimed I was an idiot. This thought wrenching question was asked by a certain Russell Davis. I was asked, “George, do you think life is a game?” At the time I was rather pissed off. I was called out of physics(which I actually like) then made to wait outside his office(he is the Dean of Punishment) while he spoke on his phone. Was his phone call really more important than me? Suffice it to say, I was angry. And when I’m angry, I become a cocky arrogant asshole. (Some people say I am this all the time; ever think I am just angry all the time) So the answer I gave was cocky and arrogant. I was like, “Yeah I played it last week. You know, the one made by Milton Bradley, with the spinner that goes to ten, and the cars that you put the little people in. I love that game”

But now, far removed from those emotions, I can give some rational thought to the question. A game is defined by dictionary.com as “a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators.” Well life is competitive; tracing humanity back to the caveman days shows that we competed for food, women, and nice caves. (Hey, we still compete for food, women, and “caves”) Life definitely involves skill. Even today we need skills such as recognizing food, lifting food, swallowing food, crying for more food, etc… Humanity needs chance. I mean there is a chance, albeit slim, that the roof of my house could collapse, or that a meteor could strike earth. And it involves endurance (it takes a lot of fucking endurance to get out of bed) The last thing that remains is amusement. Many people do live life to amuse themselves, so life, at least superficially, bears striking resemblance to a game.

But a key aspect of almost all games is a winning condition, or at least the ability to objectively classify some states as better than others. How does one “win” at life? (I really don’t know, but if you know please tell me) Can I be better at life than you? Can anyone’s life be objectively better than anyone elses?

If you think you can answer these questions, read “The Game”. I don’t want to give away any of the book, but it has made me rethink my outlook on life and what I really want.

For now I want someone to take on life with me. I want someone to make a modicum of sense out of what I’m saying, and even if they don’t have the answers, pursue them alongside me with unmatched fervor.