Random acts of unkindness
A while ago I received a card game from a co-worker called Akoha. The point of the game is to do nice things for people you semi-don't know and then get all kinds of credit on this website for being a nice quasi-stranger. You log in and then get 'missions' like Give Someone a Compact Fluorescent Bulb or Invite Someone for Drinks. You're not supposed to disclose that you're doing this because you're playing a game. The vic is supposed to think you have truly seen their inner awesomeness. And then the partially cool nobody/loser turns into a full-blown pompous asshole because he-she thinks EVERYONE can suddenly see they are a really a rock star hiding in a PR peon's body. And the world has one more sucky megalomaniac thanks to you.
Now don't get me wrong. The creators of this game had their hearts in the right place. They just didn't fully flesh out the idea. The way I see it the goal is to have fewer assholes in the world without actually killing anyone. Throughout the ages kingdoms and governments have tried to accomplish this with things like inquisitions, witch burnings and preemptive strike warfare as a way to tell potential jackasses to get back in the barn or else because look what happened to the last guy who pulled some crap. Problem with this methodology is a) there is actual killing involved and b) a lot of times the cool kids are the ones that get extinguished while the assholes get to be president or king. Counter intuitive, right?
So how about a game that brings folks to the light without actually having to light them on fire? World, I would like to present DarKoha.
Here are the rules:
Now don't get me wrong. The creators of this game had their hearts in the right place. They just didn't fully flesh out the idea. The way I see it the goal is to have fewer assholes in the world without actually killing anyone. Throughout the ages kingdoms and governments have tried to accomplish this with things like inquisitions, witch burnings and preemptive strike warfare as a way to tell potential jackasses to get back in the barn or else because look what happened to the last guy who pulled some crap. Problem with this methodology is a) there is actual killing involved and b) a lot of times the cool kids are the ones that get extinguished while the assholes get to be president or king. Counter intuitive, right?
So how about a game that brings folks to the light without actually having to light them on fire? World, I would like to present DarKoha.
Here are the rules:
- The game has three levels: people who are a little douchey, you laughed when my cat got run over by a car, and this guy has to be stopped before he flies an airplane into a building.
- The accompanying cards have level-appropriate anonymous actions that the player can take. For example, instead of giving someone who is a little douchey a fluorescent light bulb, get invited to his house and then secretly pee on his toothbrush while using the bathroom. For the guy on the eve of his first terrorist attack, instead of an invitation to go out drinking with you, fix him up with your 2nd cousin's neighbor who has a condition that causes mushrooms to grow on her private parts.
- Everybody wins. When assholes have to sit out of the game of life for a round or two to nurse mysterious dental conditions or tend to gardens where they have no business growing, the world is a better place. At least until these fools come back from medical leave.
Posted by Jennifer at 2/28/2010 9:18 AM 
Categories: Awesome domains that you can buy from me for a 15 thousand percent markup, Making the world a better place, Things that should have happened but didn't
Tags: that's why they invented the internet i know you agree with me but are afraid to admit it in public games to play at parties with strangers ice breakers
Categories: Awesome domains that you can buy from me for a 15 thousand percent markup, Making the world a better place, Things that should have happened but didn't
Tags: that's why they invented the internet i know you agree with me but are afraid to admit it in public games to play at parties with strangers ice breakers
My cat did get run over when I was in high school. Two boys from my class said they did it (they didn't). I think they're nicer now, but I still really want to pee on their toothbrushes.
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Hopefully you have a class reunion coming up. It sounds like we have a couple of DarKoha test drive candidates out there.
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