lose/lose is a fantastic art video game piece that is just as much a work of art as it is a philosophical masterpiece.  Each enemy you destroy actually permanently deletes a file from your computer.  If you die, the game deletes itself.  This of course ads a tangible element to your actions. As it’s creator says:

‘Why do we assume that because we are given a weapon an awarded for using it, that doing so is right?

By way of exploring what it means to kill in a video-game, Lose/Lose broaches bigger questions. As technology grows, our understanding of it diminishes, yet, at the same time, it becomes increasingly important in our lives. At what point does our virtual data become as important to us as physical possessions? If we have reached that point already, what real objects do we value less than our data? What implications does trusting something so important to something we understand so poorly have?’

I think this holds true for so much more beyond video games.  It really transcends where we are as a global community with wars and threats of wars at every turn.  I think there is a disconnect for us when we hear on the news someone was killed no matter what side they’re on.

It’s not just a name or a number but there are other people and communities that they are tied to. How do we then tie in Jesus’ teaching about loving our neighbor and not resisting the wicked man.

Like I said…it’s quite the game.

[Full disclosure: I do from time to time play games that condone violence]