Games | Radiolab

Intro

In this episode of Radiolab titled “Games,” the hosts explore the deep emotional connections and significance that sports and games can hold for people. They delve into personal stories, examine the tension in play, and discuss the allure of underdogs. Join Radiolab as they unravel the fascinating world of games and the powerful impact they can have on individuals and society.

Main Takeaways

The Power of Sports Fandom

• Sports can evoke strong emotions in fans.
• Fans can feel like a game is more than just a game.
• The Sharks hockey team has a dedicated fan base.
• A beautiful view couldn’t override the anger felt after a Sharks loss.

The Gift of Personal Sports Teams

• A family rule was that no two people could root for the same baseball team.
• The father assigned each family member their own team to root for.
• The father saw giving each child their own team as the greatest gift he could give them.
• The parents were both Brooklyn-born Jews who converted to Roman Catholicism.

Steven’s Dream and Franco Harris

• Steven spent time by himself pretending to be the Orioles and recreating games.
• Steven fell in love with football at 10 years old despite it being considered barbaric and played on the Sabbath.
• Franco Harris, a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, became Steven’s favorite player due to their shared Catholic and mixed backgrounds.
• The Immaculate Reception, a miraculous football play, solidified Steven’s love for Franco Harris and the Steelers.

The Tension in Play

• Playing is a fundamental behavior of everyone, including animals.
• Tension in children’s play: interesting idea from Alison Gautnick.
• Preschool children engage in imaginative and creative play, inventing and making up crazy connections.
• School-age children practice being in a society and develop a theory of sociology through play.

The Book in Chess and Checkers

• The lack of tension can result in repetitive and uninteresting games, as seen in the World Checker’s Championship in 1863.
• Professional checkers players memorized moves and created a catalog, resulting in a perfect game of checkers being played repeatedly in the World Checker’s Championship in 1863.
• The book in chess started in the 16th century and was kept secret by a few Russian players until the 80s when it was put online and exploded.
• Chess players consult the book, named Fritz, before games and walk into games with so much of the book in their heads that whole portions of the game are very repetitive.

Zero Moments and Underdog Bias

• Zero moments are why people watch sports.
• Bobby Fisher’s sacrificial move of his queen was a “zero moment” in chess history.
• Underdogs create drama and excitement.
• Underdog preference is almost universal.

Summary

The Power of Sports Fandom

Sports have the ability to evoke strong emotions in fans, who often feel that a game is more than just a game. The Sharks hockey team, for example, has a dedicated fan base that experiences intense feelings after a loss, even if they are surrounded by a beautiful view. This demonstrates the deep connection that fans can have with their favorite teams.

The Gift of Personal Sports Teams

In one family, a rule was established that no two people could root for the same baseball team. The father assigned each family member their own team to root for, considering it the greatest gift he could give them. This unique approach to sports fandom reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the family members, who were Brooklyn-born Jews that converted to Roman Catholicism.

Steven’s Dream and Franco Harris

Steven, a young boy, developed a deep love for football and the Pittsburgh Steelers at the age of 10. Despite the sport being considered barbaric and played on the Sabbath, Steven was captivated by the game. Franco Harris, a running back for the Steelers, became his favorite player due to their shared Catholic and mixed backgrounds. The Immaculate Reception, a miraculous football play, solidified Steven’s admiration for Franco Harris and the Steelers. Steven’s dream of playing football with Franco in his backyard symbolized the importance of taking charge of one’s own destiny.

The Tension in Play

Playing is a fundamental behavior for both humans and animals. Alison Gautnick’s research highlights the tension in children’s play, with preschoolers engaging in imaginative and creative play, inventing and making up crazy connections. As children grow older, they practice being part of a society and develop a theory of sociology through play. Successful games allow us to experience the tension between the inventiveness of a three-year-old and the rule-following of a six-year-old, making them interesting and engaging.

The Book in Chess and Checkers

The lack of tension can lead to repetitive and uninteresting games, as seen in the World Checker’s Championship in 1863. Professional checkers players memorized moves, resulting in a perfect game of checkers being played repeatedly. In chess, the concept of “the book” refers to a huge database of moves that players memorize. Chess players consult this book, named Fritz, before games, resulting in portions of the game being very repetitive. However, there are moments that break free from the book, creating unique and exciting experiences.

Zero Moments and Underdog Bias

Zero moments, which occur when a position in chess has never happened before in the universe, are what make people watch sports. Bobby Fisher’s sacrificial move of his queen was a significant zero moment in chess history. The allure of underdogs in sports is almost universal, as they create drama and excitement. People emotionally react to and root for underdogs, despite having no personal connection or reason to choose one team over another. This preference for underdogs may stem from a deep instinct for fairness and a desire for an even playing field.

Conclusion

The episode “Games” from Radiolab explores the profound impact that sports and games can have on individuals and society. Sports fandom can evoke strong emotions and create a sense of connection and identity. The tension in play is what makes games interesting and engaging, allowing us to experience the balance between creativity and rule-following. The allure of underdogs and zero moments adds drama and excitement to sports, resonating with our deep instincts for fairness and the desire for something extraordinary. Ultimately, games offer us a unique way to experience the world and tell stories that captivate our imaginations.