Third+Period-+Question+6

Group Members: John Benton, Molly Scanga, Bobby Mackinnon, Elizabeth Aklilu =**Question #6**=

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John B- In my opinion, (if life were a game) "winning" it would depend upon the culture of the "player". For example, many Americans would consider it "winning" if they had the typical four-person family with a dog in the suburbs. Because of our culture, this is a popular goal for many of us. In other cultures, this would be completely different. Take Japan, for reference. Many Japanese workers glorify the "salary man" lifestyle, which is basically a man who works hard all day in a job that he may or may not like, goes out with his coworkers at night, and spends little time with his family. While this lifestyle might not sound acceptable to Americans (especially the lack of preference in occupation) this is perfectly acceptable in Japanese culture and is generally sought after.======

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adam g.- To my dearest friend John, I would have to agree with you that winning in life definitely depends on who the player is. You are very right that in foreign cultures, being successful in life can sometimes have a totally different meaning than it does in the US. But it is also important to not stereotype and understand that the meaning of winning at the game of life may sometimes be incredibly different between individuals. Although it is often portrayed that a culture has certain expectations for all of its individuals, which is sadly true in many situations, I believe that inside each one of us is a unique goal that we aspire to achieve in life. This could be anything, really, and only that person probably knows exactly what they truly want in life. As for the rules; some people may go by the laws or societal pressures of the place that they live in, as you mentioned, but I believe most people probably set their own rule book of what they are allowed to do in order to be victorious.======

Patrick M.- Also to my dearest friend John, I would even say that within America it depends on where you grow up it can change the game being played. For example, in a big city like L.A., the dream is to make as much money as possible be it via the entertainment business or becoming successful in a field in which you will become internationally known. By sharp contrast, the average rancher in lets say west Texas or Oklahoma may see winning the game as running his/her ranch like a business instead of a soup kitchen. They just want to be happy, being famous means nothing to these folks, and I admire that. In today's society, celebrities are revered in horrid ways, folks want to know everything about them. I admire the everyday blue collar worker who just wants to live a comfortable life with their family and to be as self sufficient as possible, not relying on any //phoniness// to get by in life. These folks embody what the American Dream is. (nice pat.. way to comment on the 3rd period blog.) ...Just saying.

Molly S.- If life was a game, then I think to win would be to have succeeded in something important to you. Everyone sets goals; some work out and some don't, but if you end up reaching one or more of your long-term goals, I think you have won the game. But, every game has rules. We sometimes hear stories of people disregarding other people's feelings to achieve their own goals. I think that one of the rules of life is to be kind to others while accomplishing your own dreams. Many Americans would like to have achieved the “American Dream” lifestyle, and for those people, to have won is to have a wife and kids and a nice house. Other people have different ideas of what they want their life to be like. So, in the game there can’t really be set rules and objectives because everyone has a different idea of what they want.

Erin C - Molls Molls Molls, I think that your definition of winning "the game" most agrees with my own beliefs. While most people would stereotype winning as that whole American dream, I disagree because thats not what everyone looks for in life. And truly winning is getting what you want most, not whats expected of you to want. Also i agree that there can not be set rules, especially now a days. People make their own rules, based on their own views of life and morals. This also in part is what causes problems because when peoples own personal "rules" or ideals don't quite match up with an others conflicts arise.

Bobby M- If life is a game then the rules depend on your definition of winning. For example, Americans today might view winning as living the "Rockstar Life". What I mean by that is going to all the parties, getting all the girls/guys(depending on your sex), and getting wasted. So the rules would follow a code like make a lot of "friends" so that you get invited to the functions, and never stop partying. For some people the game has a more basic purpose. For some the game is just to survive. For example, people in third world countries would probably define the game as surviving. For them the rules would be pound the pavement, look for work, and put bread on the table. These are obviously two extremes of the ways to define the game, but they do share one thing in common with most other possible definitions. That is to be happy. No matter how you define the game, we all want to be happy. That is ultimately what the game is, the difference is in the details. So your rules will depend on what makes you happy, so if that is living the "Rockstar Life" then go for it .If just proving for your family fulfills you, then do that. But that is what it all boils down to, happiness is the goal of the game for most, how you play is up to you.

Sarah H (In Response to Bobby): I agree with Bobby in that although people's actual/literal life goals may differ and that may be what they are trying to achieve, they are trying to achieve these things to be happy, therefore the essential goal in life for most is to be happy. As Bobby says, this happiness and the means through which one achieves it/tries to achieve it might be very different for another. Like it was mentioned above, for some people the stereotypical "rockstar" or "party" lifestyle might be the goal for some, although many look down upon those ideas. However, if people achieve their happiness through drinking and doing drugs then by all means go for it. For people in less fortunate situations that lack many of the luxuries that we take for granted might be just trying to make it day by day and survive. Although this might seem like a sad way to live, the people that do just focus on surviving might not be happy with their situations, but surviving another day is what they strive to do and therefore achieving it does bring them something. I agree that winning the "game" of life would be achieving what you have been working towards, which should result in happiness. I think that if you work towards something your whole life, and then when you get it you are still unhappy, then you haven't won at all.

Maddie G- I agree with what everybody has said. Essentially, the "game" depends on the person who is playing. As such, their culture and individuals goals all play a part in determining what the game really is. I agree with Bobby when he says that everyone is mainly trying to be happy. So, I guess to "win" would be to achieve a life you find pleases you and makes you happy. I think that when it comes to the rules of the game, some problems arise. Like Molly said, there are certain moral rules that people //should// follow, but often don't. For example, one shouldn't sabotage someone else's job just so that they can get it. Unfortunately, people tend to make up their own rules in order to facilitate a "win." I suppose one could call it cheating. I think that the people who cheat are those that believe that winning means being a "hot shot." Those who play the game honestly are those who wish to lead fulfilling lives by getting more out of their progress through the game.

Lisa- my response I also agree with everybody. If life was a game it wouldn´t be the same for everyone. Everybody is different and has different opinions about what is important to them and people should try to make their dreams come true. There are some rules, though, as Molly said. Don´t hurt other people´s feelings, do not only think about yourself, be respectful while accomplishing your own dreams and some more. I think the rules would be pretty much the same for everybody, but what it means to “win” would be different from person to person.

Andie Aldana (commenting on John's post) I think John summed it up pretty nicely. The "win" he describe sounds like the typical description of the American dream. So, winning the game would be achieving the American dream. However, clearly, that's just for America. There are other cultures' dreams that can be achieved which could also be considered a "win". I pretty much think that if the maximum happiness for any one person is achieved, then they've "won". If one person believes that finding the perfect soulmate is their "max-happy" then they've won. Others might think that it's being super duper rich. Others might be discovering some new medicine or becoming an accomplished athlete. Whatever it is that makes a person happy is "winning". I think the rules are literally the laws, and common sense.

When people tell me what I need to do to succeed in life it just makes me mad. Maybe some people //pretend// its a game to keep their minds of the lousiness of it, but I don't know, I don't think its a game. I just don't. A game is something you do when you feel like horsing around and all. I guess I horse around sometimes in my life but its not like my whole life is spent horsing around. When it comes to life, you can't win. I guess when you win, you die, and thats why I'm not dead.
 * Molly commenting in Holden's perspective-** Life isn't a game. Its just a thing you have to deal with. There are no rules, so how can it be a game?

Elizabeth Aklilu - If an individual looks at life as a "game", than winning it would probably be achieving personal happiness, or peace of mind. For some people, happiness is a mansion and a Maserati, others could be just as happy in public housing. Some are happy to be free of jail, drug addiction, abuse etc., and others are happy just to be alive. The variation comes from the experiences that each individual encounters along the course of their life. Everybody has an upbringing unparallel to anything anybody else has gone through, because everybody is wired differently. If two people go through a traumatizing experience, the impact on their psyche is bound to be similar, yet still notably different for each individual. The things that we experience affect our priorities and our outlook on life. Because of this, happiness is relative. Our physical situation may largely influence our day to day emotions, but true happiness comes from within. True happiness stays with you wherever you are. As for the “rules”, I don’t believe there are any. //Society // has rules, that you can choose to follow or ignore, but life is an open playing field full of infinite possibilities. This is kind of long and ramble-ey, so sorry.

Bobby M, Holden- If life is a game then to win is defined as if you are able to adapt and change as the world around you does. That's why I'm in a rest home. I'm losing so far. I have not been able to adapt to ** change. When Allie died, I did as well. His death rendured me unable to move on, to adapt and change. So I took refuge in the ideas of a museum; " The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody’d move. . . . Nobody’d be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. " (pg. 121, Holden). I loved the museum, so i hid behind the idea, and tried to apply it to my own life, only one problem, it doesn't work in real life. The rules are simple and now I would like to think I will play by them. You know, apply myself at the next prep school. I realize now that I have to win, or at least try. Sticking my feet in the ground and trying to resist change is futile and a waste of time. **

Elizabeth Marshall I agree with most everyone that in general, the game of life is about achieving goals. If the goal is a "rockstar" life, or the American Dream, either way it is what is important to an individual. In this sense, not achieving a goal would be losing at life. This is where it gets fuzzy. A game has set rules, a definition of winning and losing, and rarely any grey area. I think that this is too rigid to explain life, and that makes life very much NOT like a game. Rules change, or dont exist, and winning and losing arent defined. One could achieve their goals, but still not be happy becuase there goals changed. Wouldn't that be winning? Then why isnt the person happy? A game doesnt explain that. And what if someone doesnt achieve their goals but still finds peace. Is that still considered winning? Using the term "game" does not come close to explaining these "phenomena". \

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Alex (1st period) - I like Bobby's perspective as Holden because it can be seen as the new Holden. Refreshed by Phoebe's philosophy, Holden is urged to adapt to the game of life. Adapting is a good start for holden's future. Bobby Holden sees the world for not what rules have been broken or changed, he sees what he can do in the present to stay on top. Molly's comments as Holden express his views as if he were still depressed. Already hating the rules and the system set up, Holden would try to find a way to omit himself from the typical player. Molly uses his train of thought, allowing her to be Holden. She twists her words, phrases and ideas like Holden would've. She also does a good job at contradicting her own response (in holden's voice). For example, she writes " A game is...when you feel like horsing around ... I guess I horse around sometimes in my life." Both presentations of Holden are unique and persuasive arguments for the game of LIFE.=====  E.Aklilu (as holden) I don't know It depends on what kind of game. Sure, if you want to get all //philosophical //, life is a game. Not a fun game like checkers, but some long, depressing, phony game nonetheless. Life is a game because a game is supposed to be fair, but isn't, I suppose. Life has no rules, any sonovabitch can just lie and cheat his way through life and turn out OK, I guess, while good people who do good things just die and disappear, like the goddamn ducks. That makes me so angry, it really does. As for winning, I don't know, you probably can't. You are most likely tricked into believing that you can by becoming like that bastard Stradlater, or those people in the movies, or by running off to the mountains with some phony girl, but you can't win. You're better off just quitting.