Psychology and the Infinite Game

Niki HarréThe University of Auckland

New Zealand

Psychology for a Better World

Free to download$15 for a hard

copy AND on YouTube!

www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/psychologyforabetterworld

Intellectual

PracticeMetaphorical

Intellectual

PracticeMetaphorical

Intellectual

PracticeMetaphorical

Intellectual

PracticeMetaphorical

Intellectual

PracticeMetaphorical

The infinite game

James CarseThe infinite game• The purpose is to continue the

game• Invites others in• Any single player is not

needed and cannot finish the game

• Looks to the future and does not assume the past will reoccur

• The rules must change over time or the game will cease

• Provokes creativity

Finite games• The purpose is to win

• Include only select people• Each player is needed and

must always be alert, to relax is dangerous

• Players try to replicate the winning strategies of the past

• The rules must not change for the duration of the game

• Provoke replication

Finite Game Finite

Game

Finite Game

Finite Game

Finite Game

Finite Game

James CarseThe infinite game• The purpose is to continue the

game• Invites others in• Any single player is not

needed and cannot finish the game

• Looks to the future and does not assume the past will reoccur

• The rules must change over time or the game will cease

• Provokes creativity

Finite games• The purpose is to win

• Include only select people• Each player is needed and

must always be alert, to relax is dangerous

• Players try to replicate the winning strategies of the past

• The rules must not change for the duration of the game

• Provoke replication

That which is of infinite value

Scared, precious, specialOf value for its own sakeThat which makes the world truly alive

In any dimension – an emotion, relationship, part of the natural world, a quality an object

Car

Oceans

and Seas

Vegetation

Food

Flowers

Water

Life

Equality

Sunlight

Free Space (e.g. beach,

forest

Belonging

The Sun

Sun

Human

Morality

Waterfalls

These are of infinite value

People

Family

communication

FamilyFamily

Home

Happiness

Elation

HappinessHappine

ssLaughter

Freedom

Hope

LoveLove

Love

FreedomFreedom

Running

Dolphins

AnimalsAnimals

Altruism

Colour

MusicMusic

Music

Nature

Ocean

Friends

Laughter

God

Family

Parents

Knowledge

A positive outlook

Empathy

Basketball

Mental

wellbeing

Rugby

MusicMusic

Music

Truth

Communication

Weekends

car

Love

These are of infinite value

A sense of humour

Laughter

Nature

Nature

FamilyFamily

FamilyFamilyFamily

FamilyFamily

FamilyFamily

Ambition

Support

FamilyFamily Friends

EducationFaith

Compassion

Knowled

ge and

love

Food

Community

Nature: food, water, air

Technology

Experience

God

Transport

These are of infinite value

Water

communication

Sport

Books

Happiness

Laughing

Selflessness

Happiness

Laughter

Respect

Trees

LoveLove

Friends

Excitement

Hope

Maths

Environment

Hugs

Pride

Electric

guitarMusic

Friendships

FamilyFamily

Friendships

FamilyFamily

Family

communicationcommunicatio

n

SmilesLaughter

Happiness

Happiness

Humour

Compassion

Nature, specifically trees

Environment

WaterWater

Food Food

Technology

SportSport

Time

MusicMusicMusic

Time

Smile

Toilet paper

Education

Understandin

g or learning

Cooking

Communicati

on

These are of infinite value

Happiness

Sleeping

Fruits

Health

Serenity

Water

My cat

Walk

Laughing

Exercise

Stories

Peace

Positivity

HonourLove

Freedom

Hunger

Knowledge

Professions

Sunshine

Rock

climbing

Colour

MusicMusicMusic

Educatio

n

Communicati

on

Water

Music

Water

Stand up

comedy

LoveLoveLove

LoveHappines

sHappines

sHappines

sHappines

sHappy

Laughin

g/joking

Faith

Music

The Ocean

Resources

Air

Cloud

s

Good morals

Consciousness

Regret

CommunicationKnowledge

Spirit

Nature

These are of infinite value

Home

Community

Family

Compassion

Passion

Patience

Happine

ss

Art and

Creativit

y

Hope

Emotions

LoveLove

FreedomFreedomImagination

Algorithm

Internet

Life

Car

NatureWater

Resources

Faith

Passion Regret

Anger

Happine

ssHappine

ss

Love

Leadership-

management- government

Family

Home country

Freedom of thought

Success

Determination

Potential

Strength

Choice

Dream

CommunicationCommunication

Knowledge

That which is of infinite value – Categories created by students

• The natural environment• Arts• Human values• Basic human needs• Sociability and communication• Family/Human relationships• Leisure• Education and knowledge• Religion• Time• Innovations

But what is more important than any one of these precious things

IS TO KEEP THE GAME IN PLAY

So what does this mean for psychology in general and community psychology in

particular?

Community of learners seeking understanding (but never quite finding

it), growth and innovation, with permeable boundaries.

Stimulating student

assignments

Talks, shows presentations to the public

Publications that stem from genuine body, mind, soul,

heart engagement.

Publishing for the sake of publishing

University rankings

Achieving a degree in order to qualify for a

high status job

So what does this mean for psychology in general and community psychology in

particular?

Fisher (2002). “The struggle to make meaning, to lend form to experience, is like the struggle to recall something forgotten; we feel an immediate satisfaction when words finally come out for the recollected thing. So it is for any moment when we recognize a pattern, contact some truth, or bring into symbolic focus a feeling that has been haunting us from the deep. I thus have in mind a style of inquiry with lots of ragged edges, unanswered questions, and loose ends; and yet with an atmosphere and an impelling force that can be felt; where points, even if surrounded by ignorance, nonetheless get made and are able to…elicit fruitful responses from the reader.”

•Nga iwi e! Nga iwi e! Kia kotahi ra te Mo-a-na-"nwi"-kiwa

e-i-a-i-e -----------

Kia mau ra! Kia mau ra! ki te mana motuhake me te aroha

e-i-a-i-e -----------

Wahine ma! Wahine ma! Ma-ra-nga mai, Ma-ra-nga mai, kia kaha

e-i-a-i-e -----------

E tama ma! E tama ma! E tama tu, E tama tu, tama ora!

e-i-a-i-e -----------

Nga iwi e! Nga iwi e! Kia kotahi mai te Moana-"nwi"-kiwa

All you people! All you people!Be united as one, like the Pacific Ocean.

Hold on firmly! Hold on firmlyto your inheritance, and to compassion.

All you young women! All you young women,rise up, rise up, be strong

All you lads! All you lads! Stand up tall and live like men!