Re: Mechanics are the message

[WFreitag@aol.com]

ToastyKen wrote:

>Now, I have this theory that fiction is often more effective in 
>sending a message than direct non-fictional essays in part because 
>they can be entertaining, but in part because they don't trigger a 
>defensive reaction in the audience.  With non-fiction, the audience 
>often doesn't want to feel stupid, so it reacts by looking for flaws 
>in the reasoning.  With fiction, it might instead take the audience a 
>bit of effort to notice some of the messages, and this makes them 
>feel smart.. and they thus have a more positive reaction to the 
>message.

I've read a lot of theories about how this or that indirect method of 
conveying a message is effective because it bypasses logical "defenses" that 
might otherwise raise objections. The problem is, every controlled study ever 
conducted has shown that a directly stated overt message is more effective at 
eliciting or changing beliefs than any other (more subtle or indirect) 
method. Either those logical defenses don't exist, or they are just as 
effective against subtle messages as they are against overt ones.

I have a different theory about the effectiveness of stories at conveying 
messages. It's not that they're more likely to be accepted as true, but that 
they are more likely to be remembered. Research has shown that dreams are 
probably integral to the process of converting new information into long-term 
memories and/or integrating it into one's general world view. Information 
wrapped in stories, perhaps, comes pre-dreamed, making that process more 
efficient.

This may, then, be even more the case for information wrapped in game play. 
Besides mimicking learning through real world experience, it might also mimic 
the subjunctive thought-experiment nature of many dreams.

Just flighty speculation, of course. Of more practical interest is Brandon's 
observation that the actual message often turns out to be quite different 
than what the author appears to have intended. Instead of "global waming is 
important," you get "global warming is just an excuse to ruin my fun."

My favorite example is the typical computer FRP. Despite the trappings of 
heroism and adventure, the actual message of FRPs is "success comes only by 
patience and caution." Since most players are far more likely to be patient 
and cautious in real life, they're more receptive to the game because the 
message agrees with their world view. Preaching to the choir is a sure path 
to success in every other medium; why should games be any different?

- Walt