The Score - by C Thi Nguyen (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A philosophy of games to help us win back control over what we value

The philosopher C. Thi Nguyen--one of the leading experts on the philosophy of games and the philosophy of data--takes us deep into the heart of games, and into the depths of bureaucracy, to see how scoring systems shape what we care about.

Games are the most important art form of our era. They embody the spirit of free play. They show us the subtle beauty of action everywhere in life--in video games, sports, and boardgames--but also cooking, gardening, fly fishing, and moving. They remind us that it isn't always about outcomes, but about how glorious it feels to be doing the thing.

Scoring systems are at the center of modern games. They are also, in the form of metrics and rankings, at the center of our corporations and bureaucracies--where they tell us exactly how to measure success. They encourage us to outsource our values to an external authority. And they push on us to value simple, countable things. Metrics don't capture what really matters; they only capture what's easy to measure. The price of that clarity is you must outsource your values.

The Score asks us is this the game you really want to be playing?

Review Quotes

"There are certain concepts that, once they're explained to you, you start to see everywhere. Thi Nguyen's notion of value capture is exactly this kind of idea--it's deceptively simple but profoundly insightful. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. This book beautifully encapsulates Nguyen's thinking on the relationship between our values, our goals, and the metrics by which we measure ourselves and others. Nguyen is one of the rare academics who can render a complex theory accessible and engaging without dumbing it down. The net result is an outstanding piece of philosophy that experts and non-experts can both enjoy. But consider yourself warned: you might not be able to stop thinking about it either." --Elizabeth Barnes, author of Health Problems

"As a long-time fan of games, I was delighted to find a philosophical look at how we make choices in life. If you love gaming, this is the best book on the topic you'll ever find." --Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple

About the Author

C. Thi Nguyen is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah, and a specialist in the philosophy of games, the philosophy of technology, and the theory of value. A former food writer for the Los Angeles Times, Nguyen is active in public philosophy, writing for the New York Times, Washington Post, New Statesman, and elsewhere.