Dr. Benjamin Chicka has a PhD in Religion from Claremont Graduate University.  He currently serves as a  lecturer of philosophy and religion at Curry College. He is the author of the book, Playing as Others, which will be the main topic of our conversation today. He is interested in how video games can be used as a source of positive ethical formation, leading people to eventually act more empathetically in society at large, particularly towards people who have been historically marginalized.

Key questions: how do we learn to act ethically? What tools do we have to train ourselves in the direction that we hope to go? Should videogames be a part of this formation strategy or are they merely diversions?

Potentially helpful links:

Book: https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481315463/playing-as-others/

Gamergate info: https://www.vox.com/2014/9/6/6111065/gamergate-explained-everybody-fighting

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2014/10/14/the-only-guide-to-gamergate-you-will-ever-need-to-read/

Forums/video game communities

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/jul/31/gamer-communities-positive-side-twitter

 Papers please

https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2013/11/10/244413539/papers-please-puts-your-loyalty-sympathy-to-the-test

Exploitation in the video game industry

https://time.com/5603329/e3-video-game-creators-union/

Credits:

Music: "Dreams" from Bensound.com
Edits: Julia Brukx
Episode art: Julia Donohue

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