Reality as a Complex, Multifaceted game

Games are one of the most central components of the experience of human beings. They give us pleasure, give us purpose, and give us power. To start, I must express the reality of life, some games aren't always fun, some games aren't always good, and some games are destructive and dangerous. Games are interactions between one or more entities or force that are often procedural and governed by laws or rules which determine the allowance of an amount of choice or will for the entities or forces involved. Games have an established goal, a set of objectives to reach that goal, and a procedure by which you follow to reach those objectives and the goal. Some games are more rigid in the dynamics and structures that govern the course they take. For example, the dynamics of a sporting match such as football is governed by rules which restrict some activities in the game to allocate fairness and safety measures into the game that both sides of the competition must adhere to for the procedures of the game to run their course through time. This structuring of the game is essential for the game to maintain its identity as what it is as well as distinguishing the goals, objectives, and steps players take to achieve those goals and objectives from other types of games that exist. Without the laws and rules, the game loses its identity as what it is. This loss of identity often occurs when a player "cheats" in a game, taking a shortcut or or utilizing a tool or tactic that gives them an unfair or lopsided advantage. The key way of preventing this from occurring is to have a strong central authority that arbitrates the game and prevents such "cheating." However, in certain games, like asymmetrical warfare, such arbiter does not exist, creating an open game scenario where both sides are suddenly free to engage in any strategy, tactic, or utilization of any tool at their disposal. "Cheating" is no longer considered abnormal, so the game structure becomes incredibly complex. Some may call it chaos, but since their are certain laws you can't break, like the laws of nature and physics, it is more of a complexity with high levels of unpredictability. Sometimes one side of a conflict like this is held to a higher standard and code than their opponents, and sometimes this puts them at a strategic disadvantage. Often times the side that is not governed by that higher standard can use their enemy's standards against them. Just like how the shortest distance between two points in space is a straight line, the quickest, simplest, and most efficient method to achieve the objective or goal is the one that is most likely to be utilized. That being said, some rational players in a highly complex game may not be able to peer through the uncertainty and fog of complexity to accurately assess what strategy is going to be the most effective in regards to the goals and objectives that the player wants to achieve. As games progress and evolve through time, the situation changes, and new complex factors are injected into the game. In games like war, factors like ethics and morality heavily influence the strategy and objectives of the game. Other, less serious games; ones that are not intended to cause harm are often very controlled and very monitored to prevent people from taking unfair shortcuts to achieve their objectives. These games are much easier to arbitrate because of the control necessary for them to exist. Sports, video games, board games, legal disputes, debates, policymaking, and social interactions are examples of some of the less "dangerous" games.

Reality can be interpreted as a game. The conscious entities at work in existence engage in games with both other conscious entities as well as forces like chance and probability governed by the laws of nature. A central component of games and reality is purpose. The procedures, dynamics, and paradigms of these games all fill a purpose in completing the goals and objectives of the games. Without purpose, games cannot run their course through time. Time, being the most prominent governing force of games, allows them to progress and unfold as the determining factors that influence the actions of the forces and players involved. Without time, the games cannot fulfill their purpose, as they cannot unfold and proceed into their climax and completion. I would argue that games are essential in the development and success of human beings, as the tools and skills we learn from the games we play allow us to achieve a great deal of success. The way human beings interact with each other, as well as how they form relationships and strive for success is strategic. If the individual is rational, the decisions he or she makes will be calculated to further their interests. If the person is irrational and lacks substantial intellect, then the decisions he or she makes will often be mistake prone and those mistakes will run counter to their interests, goals, and objectives. Human beings, being limited by our biological drives and socio-economic needs as well as a general uncertainty in many areas of our reality, often make faulty and erroneous decisions which lead to failed ambitions and a failure to achieve our goals. Some decisions are made to lead to a sustainable trajectory in life, others can lead to immense progress, while others are made for short term gratification. Often times, when a human being is analyzing his choices and situation, the temptation to make decisions that lead to short term gratification are overpowering. Making decisions that lead to sustainable and stable growth take a will and calculation that many people fail to utilize and choose. Everybody strategizes in their lives. Strategies on how to sustain relationships, strategies on how to maintain work, strategies on how to spend their money. Because of the sheer complexity of the human condition, and just nature in general, their are many strategies employed by individuals based on their immediate objectives, their moderate and long term goals, and a very big factor; their survival. As situations in life change, so does the strategy by which you are carrying out your life. If your life is in immediate danger, your strategy changes from short term and long term goals to a strategy that increases the probability of your immediate survival. Their is always risk and probability in strategies; risk that the strategy won't work and the probability of the strategy being successful or not. These things are often hard to calculate with a limited amount of information on the situation, the inherent unpredictability of the progression of events, and a restricted analysis of the situation because of the limited information provided. As you try to analyse your strategy for your actions, the aforementioned statement earlier in this paper is true, the simplest, quickest, most effective, and most efficient strategy has the highest probability of success. Their are no guarantees. Even a slight miscalculation or deviation from the anticipated trajectory of the situation can lead to either a totally new paradigm or an unpredictable factor that throws your calculations way off.