THE CHALLENGE
We were asked to create a 3D artifact which could represent the mindsets, skill-sets or technology that would essentially for humans to thrive in the new economy. I started by thinking about what are the different segments of the population and who could benefit the most from a mindset shift that is needed for the 21st century. I have always been fascinated about childhood learning and development and in understanding how games play a part in the mental models they develop when they are young.
SOLUTION
I loved playing Monopoly as a kid - and have always wondered whether there was a way in which monopoly could be made into a game that fosters sharing and co-operation, rather than competition and individualism. It's a paradigm shift to the fundamental way kids are taught about life and the world - that it's a zero sum game.
Gaia is a strategic game for thinking in the New economy. The purpose of the project was to create a
simple game which everyone from kids to adults can understand and enjoy equally well.
simple game which everyone from kids to adults can understand and enjoy equally well.
The different positions in Gaia are the various positive and negative characteristics of the new economy
(represented by the colors green and red respectively). While players can gain points by landing on places
such as a university or a solar farm, landing on other places such as a Disaster Pit (a metaphor for natural
disasters caused by climate change) causes players to lose points.
(represented by the colors green and red respectively). While players can gain points by landing on places
such as a university or a solar farm, landing on other places such as a Disaster Pit (a metaphor for natural
disasters caused by climate change) causes players to lose points.
Gaia aims to instill a sharing and caring mentality into young children, at the peak of neuroplasticity. If the
dominant paradigm in their brain is that of giving rather than keeping and helping rather than ignoring, we
have a chance to survive Anthropocene. When the entire human species functions as the functional parts
of a single organism (Gaia), the organism has a much better chance of survival.
dominant paradigm in their brain is that of giving rather than keeping and helping rather than ignoring, we
have a chance to survive Anthropocene. When the entire human species functions as the functional parts
of a single organism (Gaia), the organism has a much better chance of survival.
PROTOTYPING
The making
