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Thoughts on Computer Games and Evolution
Feb. 8th, 2009 12:27 amSaid thoughts being brought about by going to see a discussion on that subject because Ken MacLeod was involved (and ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
tisme got me a couple of tickets).
Computer games design is, memetic - the design ideas for each one are clearly memes. Out of the whole of the human/computer interaction space they've colonised certain areas, largely grouped themselves into a few species, and propagate based on a fitness function of how much money they make - which is directly proportional to how popular they are.
Of course, their popularity is based on how well they affect people - they tap directly into human emotions and instincts. Everything from simple reaction testing to provoking fear and stress responses. Which is, in turn based on human evolution.
So you've got the evolution of computer systems, interfacing with people, their fitness function directly related to the affect they have on our nervous system, itself the result of our own evolution.
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Also,autopope was there, who I seem to perpetually orbit in the same circles as, and seem to actually talk to about once a year - we ended up sitting on opposite sides of the room, and afterwards he was caught up with one group of people, and me with another. One of these days we'll both be in the pub at the same time without me dashing off somewhere instantly!
tisme got me a couple of tickets).Computer games design is, memetic - the design ideas for each one are clearly memes. Out of the whole of the human/computer interaction space they've colonised certain areas, largely grouped themselves into a few species, and propagate based on a fitness function of how much money they make - which is directly proportional to how popular they are.
Of course, their popularity is based on how well they affect people - they tap directly into human emotions and instincts. Everything from simple reaction testing to provoking fear and stress responses. Which is, in turn based on human evolution.
So you've got the evolution of computer systems, interfacing with people, their fitness function directly related to the affect they have on our nervous system, itself the result of our own evolution.
===
Also,
autopope was there, who I seem to perpetually orbit in the same circles as, and seem to actually talk to about once a year - we ended up sitting on opposite sides of the room, and afterwards he was caught up with one group of people, and me with another. One of these days we'll both be in the pub at the same time without me dashing off somewhere instantly!
