Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list • Hacker News Board

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#91

Post by grugagag » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 4:52 PM UTC

AlwaysRock wrote: post #75

Minor49er wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Bible, Homer's Iliad, and Shakespeare's works are some of the most important ones in Western culture. I wouldn't say they're unapproachable at all. They may be more difficult to read than a modern teen fiction novel, but they contain archetypes and language patterns that were foundational for works that came afterward. Thinking about it now, Beowulf should be added to this list. That's another great way to teach…

I believe you are overestimating the average and below average person. Shakespeare is unapproachable to many people simple due to the language used.

And if one doesn't go in that direction (eg theater & film or literature) forcing them is not going to be very productive after all... This should exist for sure but only optionally for the ones highly interested.

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#92

Post by grugagag » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 4:55 PM UTC

cyberdrunk wrote: post #49

zaksoup wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to start a flame war over book choice but forcing kids to read the Bible, Homer's Iliad, and Shakespeare are probably what is causing such marked disinterest in the first place. There are so many interesting and valuable works of writing, fiction and non-fiction, that can captivate and entertain modern children that aren't unapproachable tomes translated from ancient, dead languages, or written in Iambic Pentamet…

> Not to start a flame war over book choice but forcing kids to read the Bible, Homer's Iliad, and Shakespeare are probably what is causing such marked disinterest in the first place. There are so many interesting and valuable works of writing, fiction and non-fiction, that can captivate and entertain modern children that aren't unapproachable tomes translated from ancient, dead languages, or written in Iambic Pentam…

Not only that but also special interest on your part. There are more gentle but effective ways to learn about one's culture. Choosing the hardest is not going to be very productive at all!!

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#93

Post by t0ughcritic » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 4:56 PM UTC

simon1573 wrote: post #11

ceceron wrote: post #10

Interesting move. Sadly kids nowadays (at least in Poland, where I live) don't like reading books and tend to skip even very important titles. This may be a good way to bring some interest in the history via a genuinely entertaining medium.

What do you consider very important titles?

Bhagvad Gita for spirituality which generally isn’t taught or considered in the Eastern bloc

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#94

Post by musingsole » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 4:57 PM UTC

WrtCdEvrydy wrote: post #84

lacker wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I found Detroit: Become Human to be quite thought-provoking.

Yeah, but it's a bit on the nose...

Depends on your play through

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#95

Post by gchamonlive » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 4:58 PM UTC

RangerScience wrote: post #67

This is amazing. There are other games of this quality and artistry, but IMO no other games with the kind of impact TWOM has. There's something special that happens when you play TWOM that isn't possible in other mediums. It manages to actually create circumstances where you feel like you're making hard choices. IMO, only two other games accomplish something comparable. Portal (as a masterpiece of gaming in every res…

Undertale is pretty intense. Spoiler at the end of the comment.

Disco Elysium is a narrative masterpiece.

Outer Wilds has the most balanced story/exploration loop I can think of.

Baba is You because it screws with your brain nicely.

Spoiler:

-- when you realise your actions carry over across reloads

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#96

Post by michaelmrose » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 5:03 PM UTC

Minor49er wrote: post #44

zaksoup wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to start a flame war over book choice but forcing kids to read the Bible, Homer's Iliad, and Shakespeare are probably what is causing such marked disinterest in the first place. There are so many interesting and valuable works of writing, fiction and non-fiction, that can captivate and entertain modern children that aren't unapproachable tomes translated from ancient, dead languages, or written in Iambic Pentamet…

The Bible, Homer's Iliad, and Shakespeare's works are some of the most important ones in Western culture. I wouldn't say they're unapproachable at all. They may be more difficult to read than a modern teen fiction novel, but they contain archetypes and language patterns that were foundational for works that came afterward. Thinking about it now, Beowulf should be added to this list. That's another great way to teach…

Are you sure the inclusion of "The Bible" of which there are actually several has nothing to do with your own personal faith? How do you even go about that without dealing with issues of church and state? Whichever holy book you choose at least 50% of constituents will believe you chose the wrong one. If you teach it as history you will be doing a poor job of history without substantially more sources and discussing the inherent unreliability of historical sources.

If you imply that every word isn't the literal truth you will again have at people howling for your blood.

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#97

Post by goda90 » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 5:10 PM UTC

humaniania wrote: post #81

Playing "This War of Mine" was one of the most powerful and emotionally stirring experiences that I have ever had with a video game. It really is a beautiful work of art. Highly recommend playing it.

It's a different gameplay experience, but I highly recommend Valiant Hearts for another emotionally stirring experience about people going through war.

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#98

Post by ajhurliman » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 5:10 PM UTC

neiman wrote: post #72

Respecting video games is great, but like you don't respect a movie as "the best meal I ever had", you also don't respect a game by putting it in a "recommended reading list".

Agreed. They probably maintained the term "recommended reading list" since people are used to it instead of inventing a new term like "recommended media" that wouldn't make for an exciting headline.

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#99

Post by thih9 » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 5:20 PM UTC

gchamonlive wrote: post #95

RangerScience wrote: post #67

This is amazing. There are other games of this quality and artistry, but IMO no other games with the kind of impact TWOM has. There's something special that happens when you play TWOM that isn't possible in other mediums. It manages to actually create circumstances where you feel like you're making hard choices. IMO, only two other games accomplish something comparable. Portal (as a masterpiece of gaming in every res…

Undertale is pretty intense. Spoiler at the end of the comment. Disco Elysium is a narrative masterpiece. Outer Wilds has the most balanced story/exploration loop I can think of. Baba is You because it screws with your brain nicely. Spoiler: -- when you realise your actions carry over across reloads

Note: Undertale gameplay spoiler in the comment above.

Perhaps the author could edit the comment and add a warning?

Re: Poland puts computer game “This War of Mine” on school reading list

#100

Post by zaksoup » Tue, Jul 14, 2020, 5:31 PM UTC

caymanjim wrote: post #87

zaksoup wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're missing my point. Generalizing any one instance of one school district and one Christian sect's objection to their curriculum to all of the US just doesn't work. While I was of school age it was still the TX state curriculum to teach creationism as equally scientific as evolution. Saying "It hasn't happened in [this place] or in [my town]" is not evidence that it happens nowhere.

I never claimed it didn't happen, and I never claimed my experience was representative of the entire country. I asked a question and relayed an anecdote.

Fair enough. I went to school in a predominantly evangelical suburb in San Diego county. The same parents who staged a national day of prayer on public elementary school grounds were also in a group that sued the district over their morning yoga for children program [0].

Why was it important for you to verify my experience and the details of it and relay an anecdote that was counter to my own anecdote if not to implicitly refute my experience?

https://www.npr.org/2013/01/09/168613461/promoting-hinduism-...