Just back from a MENSA lunch, first time, one person there really ruined my appetite.

[NYC_SKP]

43. Game play reveals a lot of interesting human qualities...

There is a large family that I've adopted, in a way, and games have always been a big part of their lives.

It's always been interesting to see how they'll always help anyone who needs a hint or is losing badly, and they don't it with a lot of forethought or fanfare, they just do it.

I'm impressed and it tells a lot about how they behave in their lives in general, they're supportive and not competitive.

Also, games say a lot about cultures. I took several cultural anthropology courses in my college years and remember one study conducted that compared game play among Central American girls and girls in the US.

The game was one that could be played competitively or cooperatively and was cleverly designed so that cooperative play resulted in more points or prizes for both teams than competitive play would.

Guess how the the two groups chose to play.

Also, I'm reminded of Dr. W Edwards Deming, who describes (I'm paraphrasing from memory) the case of two competing gas stations at the same intersection, both with tow trucks.

Instead of each paying the full cost of truck and driver and having to be available all night long, and only getting half the tow jobs, they decide to cooperate.

The new arrangement is that they share one truck and alternate nights to stay open for tow service.

Games, they tell us a lot!