Bored of the board game? /January 31, 2014

Bored of the board game?

Listening to a debate on the radio this morning around the state of the UK economy I was struck by the fact that all the focus was at the level of the problem. The MPs, the academics, the commentators were unaware that there might be a systemic issue. In fact they were unaware that they were in a system at all. It struck me that we are all so distracted by the problem that we have lost sight of the bigger issues. In the case of the economy it is not an issue of how we distribute money rather it is an issue of how it is created and who creates it.

As with a game of Monopoly, the players focus is upon competing with each other in a controlled survival of the fittest environment. A sort of kindergarten version of the Hunger Games! Few question the omnipotence of the bank, and fewer still consider who the ultimate benfeiciary is...the manufacturer of the game. This radio debate seemed to be very serious and its participants self-important but like Monopoly it is just a game. A game designed to distract from a larger reality.

The survival game has proved as compelling as it is realistic but I sense there is a different game available to those willing to ignore the distractions. As more people get a sense of a new possibility the games manufacturers are likely to increase the level of distraction, but if they fail to get your attention they are ultimately powerless.

Focus on the possibility rather than the distraction.

Bill