Meetings as games and contests

A gathering may be described as a pattern of interlocking games, whether recreational, therapeutic or "serious" in intent. An underlying objective may be the emergence of qualitatively superior games (eg in the style of Hesse's Glass Bead Game). The following may be used as metaphors to explore alternative ways of understanding meetings:< [1. Mediaeval tournament:]

Participants may be viewed as knights gathered for a tournament. Each bearing a heraldic coat of arms representing his qualities and territorial origins to be defended at all costs. Contests are ritualized under an elaborate code of honour.[2. Miss Universe contest:]

Issues are paraded before eminent panelists who discuss their qualities before ranking them and selecting the "issue of the year". The whole process being immersed in a sea of public relations and other interests.

[3. Martial art:]

The struggle between issues or their representatives may be viewed in the light of the "holds" and "throws" of Eastern martial arts (aikido, judo, etc). In these the supreme achievement is to use the enemy's energy to defeat him, and ultimately to see the enemy as but a reflection of oneself.

[4. Market-place:]

The production, exchange and consumption of perspectives may be seen in terms of the dynamics of the market and the economic laws governing supply, demand and marketing considerations.