Tag: psychology

flOw A game of zen

Mr. Chen’s concept hinges on users unknowingly setting their own difficulty level. “Not with an option box that says easy, medium and hard. I want the player to control it subconsciously, based on what they’re doing.” In the face of a frustrating enemy, players are free to avoid the fight and search for more food, evolving into a more potent form. (The first squid-like enemy, encountered at level 5, was made excessively difficult on purpose to see if players would instinctually flee from an unfair fight.)

flow: the exhilarating sense of engagement we get when we’re wrapped up in a task that is perfectly matched to our skills. If it’s too easy, we get bored; too hard, we get frustrated. But hitting the precise mid-point puts us in “the zone” of flow.

The View From the Top

an aa-like confessional from a recovering WoW player

I just left WoW permanently. I was a leader in one of the largest and most respected guilds in the world, a well-equipped and well-versed mage, and considered myself to have many close friends in my guild. Why did I leave? Simple: Blizzard has created an alternate universe where we don’t have to be ourselves when we don’t want to be. From my vantage point as a guild decision maker, I’ve seen it destroy more families and friendships and take a huge toll on individuals than any drug on the market today, and that means a lot coming from an ex-club DJ.

It took a huge personal toll on me. To illustrate the impact it had, let’s look at me one year later. When I started playing, I was working towards getting into the best shape of my life (and making good progress, too). Now a year later, I’m 15 kg heavier that I was back then, and it is not muscle. I had a lot of hobbies including DJing (which I was pretty accomplished at) and music as well as writing and martial arts. I haven’t touched a record or my guitar for over a year and I think if I tried any Kung Fu my gut would throw my back out. Finally, and most significantly, I had a very satisfying social life before. My friends and I would go out and there were things to do every night of the week. Now a year later, I realize my true friends are the greatest people in the world because the fact I came out of my room, turned the lights on, and watched a movie with them still means something. They still are having a great time teasing me at my expense, however, which shows they still love me and they haven’t changed.

MoodJam

MoodJam is a visualization of your moods and other people’s moods. Use MoodJam to:

  • Keep a record of your moods every hour, day, and weeks—as often as you want, for as long as you want.
  • Visualize your moods in beautiful color strips.
  • Learn about trends in your moods and colors you associate with specific moods.
  • Share your moods with friends, family, co-workers, and other people who matter to you.

CMU does research with feelings journals. What is the world coming to?

Beating Game Shows

i love it. beating stupid game shows with psychology.

My million $ riddle was entirely appropriate, the game show equivalent of my doctoral dissertation, requiring the application of every cognitive neuroscience trick I had rehearsed for the show: “Which of the following 4 ships was not present at the Boston Tea Party? A. Eleanor, B. Dartmouth, C. Beaver, D. William.”

I blinked. Suddenly, I became aware of the wobble of the chair, the murmurs of the audience, the pale dust of Meredith’s makeup. Terror clenched hold of my cerebellum.

Intuition? What are you thinking?! You’re risking a house! You can’t possibly know the answer to this arcane question! There’s no such thing as intuition!

“… but I believe I’ll walk with the money I’ve got. That’s my final answer.”

Bleary white lights flared on across the studio. The audience applauded perfunctorily, without enthusiasm. The producer readied the next contestant to march up the aisle. The correct answer flashed on the screen.

“William.”