{"id":143,"date":"2020-11-09T15:05:12","date_gmt":"2020-11-09T15:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lisariemers.com\/?p=143"},"modified":"2024-05-28T11:32:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T10:32:07","slug":"think-like-a-gamer-to-level-up-your-lockdown-life-embiggen-your-virtual-world-with-these-weird-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lisariemers.com\/index.php\/2020\/11\/09\/think-like-a-gamer-to-level-up-your-lockdown-life-embiggen-your-virtual-world-with-these-weird-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Think like a gamer to level up your lockdown life – embiggen your virtual world with these weird tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

I miss people. I thrive off bouncing ideas off others. I miss having random conversations which then lead to ideas. I miss feeling relaxed in the proximity of actual humans. Video calls can be brilliant, and they can be overwhelming.<\/p>\n

There are ways to make video calls not quite so terrible, and in some cases brilliant.\u00a0I\u2019ve compiled some of my thoughts about what has worked for me during 2020, in the hope there may be a thing that works for you, too.<\/p>\n

Talking shapes thinking<\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve been watching a lot of House recently. I mean the TV show, not the building that we\u2019re watching it in. Although we\u2019ve been watching a lot of that, too.<\/p>\n

Greg House needs someone to argue with him. Someone to agree with him, someone to back him up. It reminds me of the fact that talking can help shape thinking. It certainly helps me.<\/p>\n

When lockdown-1 lifted, and we met in a socially distanced pub, our conversation led to all sorts of brilliant ideas. Well, at least we thought they were at the time. Maybe it was the beer. But it certainly filled me with joy.<\/p>\n

According to constructivist learning theory, people make meaning out of experience.<\/p>\n

The reference may be dusty, but is from Bruner\u2019s 1990 book \u201cActs of Meaning<\/em>\u201d <\/span>which I learned about when I originally trained to become a teacher<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While they may not have the same weight as a face to face chat and a hug, it is possible to make meaningful experiences via the interweb.<\/p>\n

Time to think a bit differently<\/h2>\n

Time to talk is important.\u00a0And making time to pause and think is valuable too.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019ve been spending all your time on back to back work calls (or haven’t spoken to anyone for a while) talking socially can feel daunting.<\/p>\n

You could, as we all know, try going for a walk. If that feels like too much, having a lie-down, listening to music, or a podcast, or audio book can help. Particularly if you\u2019ve developed a visual migraine from all that doom-scrolling<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever I\u2019ve listened to any of Mark Williams\u2019 free guided meditations<\/a>\u00a0I always feel better.\u00a0It’s one of my best habits, even though I have to remind myself to do it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reach out (and touch faith)<\/h2>\n

I can’t hear the phrase “reach out” without thinking of this conversation I had with Matt Ballantine<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

I met @lisariemers<\/a> for the first time today and she pointed out something that was so unbelievably obvious it’s been staring me in the face for nearly 3 years. pic.twitter.com\/OrOHXlDzPT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Ballantine (@ballantine70) March 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lockdown means I\u2019ve finally found a way to listen to podcasts, as I’ve always got my headphones on. I\u2019m enjoying Matt and Chris Weston<\/a>\u2019s WB-40 podcast<\/a>. And, the corresponding WhatsApp group, nay, community is brilliant.<\/p>\n

When I need to develop my thinking, or decompress, bouncing ideas off other people can be invaluable. Whether it\u2019s via Slack, WhatsApp, a spontaneous call, SMS, or a voicenote.<\/span><\/p>\n

I’ve also rediscovered a love of letters. Well, digitally-printed postcards. I signed up to Touchnote<\/a> a while back and have a whole bunch of credits just<\/span> waiting for me to use them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make your lockdown circle a little wider<\/h2>\n

In the past I have introduced people who may have something in common. Over brunch, at parties, meetings or conferences like Intranet Now<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

How about bringing someone new to your next video call, or connect via WhatsApp? Maybe<\/span> you have friends with kids of a similar age who might get on? Or like reading hard science fiction. Or are fans of imperial stouts. Or live in the same area. Or, well, they know *you*.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been thinking about the people I\u2019ve not seen for ages. People who live further away – who I can now see more of as distance is meaningless. <\/span><\/p>\n

People working on similar, but otherwise unrelated projects to me. People who I\u2019d speak to in the office and have a good natter with around the coffee machine. Or even go for a coffee or lunch with, but haven\u2019t been in touch with since. (Hi if you’re reading this!)<\/span><\/p>\n

And the people who I either forget, or never knew the names of that I\u2019d have a natter with on the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Join a virtual meet-up<\/h2>\n

There are lots of great (currently virtual) events and communities available on web apps like MeetUp<\/a> and via EventBrite<\/a> and Twitter. I’ve joined events which boost my creativity and help connect with like-minded people. I’ve particularly enjoyed participating in the NHS Make For Tomorrow programme<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the game of lockdown life, who are your NPCs?<\/h2>\n

Who do you miss from the before times? Are there people you forgot you missed, until reading this now?<\/p>\n

An NPC (non-player character) is someone who may not feature <\/span>heavily<\/span> in a game, but may have an influence in how it turns out<\/span>. And can take on an important life of their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dog<\/a>
Andy the Talking Dog<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Andy the Talking Dog, from a game of Over the Edge<\/a> I played in a few years ago, is exactly the sort of character I mean. His image weirdly<\/span> persists in my brain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Out-of-game, I miss the regulars at the pub (who I may know by face, if not name), I miss the conversations about art exhibitions in the sandwich shop near my old office, I miss chatting about the latest TV shows with people I don’t directly work with.<\/p>\n

Some people, like John Callaghan<\/a>, are brilliant at weaving stories and running RPGs. In his words, “the notes in the [<\/span>surprisingly<\/span> detailed] book are the start-point for the group to spring off from, and they change and evolve”<\/span>. How about providing some notes, or starter questions, for your next call?<\/span><\/p>\n

Think like a gamer on your next video call<\/h2>\n

Asking questions \u2013 especially ones that don\u2019t highlight how little people have actually been up to recently, can help people escape<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kinda like playing a role-playing game (RPG). In an RPG you have a group of people, essentially telling a story together, but you don\u2019t have to be a gamer to enjoy some good old fashioned storytelling<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Video calls can feel a bit chaotic without someone \u201cin charge\u201d \u2013 although often someone will step in. Like a GM (Games Master).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Assign one or two people as hosts to help bring the best out of your participants!<\/span><\/p>\n

You cannot overdress on the Orient Express<\/h2>\n

I recently ran an evening event which ended up lasting 5 hours. Five! It ended up feeling less like an RPG (or terribly long meeting) and more like an informal panel show, like Alan Davies\u2019 \u201cAs Yet<\/span><\/a> Untitled\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

I read once that \u201cYou cannot overdress on the Orient Express\u201d \u2013 what better subject for night of virtual escapism?\u00a0Can you picture yourself in this scene?
\n<\/span><\/p>\n