Throughout history, humanity has banded together in social groups. In depth studies have shown that people with shared experiences form identities relative to each other, and thus are better able to bond.
In today’s wired world, games like [MatchMove Games Poker](/socialplay/MatchMove Games-poker) are fast becoming the preferred pastime of the masses, outperforming more ‘serious’, big name solo games.
This is due to the social elements within these games that open up a new dimension to players who not only value the quality of their game play, but also appreciate a high level of interaction within the games that they play.
What such social platforms offer, are the tools and visibility that facilitate the process of seeking like-minded people.
The Dilution of Meaningful Relationships
However, it has been debated that in this age of social networking, true community and friendship has dwindled. Interactions have become increasingly superficial, and operate mainly on surface level topics such as news or entertainment gossip.
Statistics have shown that the average Facebook user has 281 friends. Interestingly enough though, there is a theoretical limit to the number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships with. 150 has been the number most commonly cited.
This concept has been popularized as the Monkeysphere, which basically explains the group of people that each of us, as primates, is able to conceptualize as people.
Why Should I Care?
What this means for us is that we are incapable of perceiving people outside our immediate circle as anything more than abstract notions. People outside one's Monkeysphere only exist conceptually as societal functions, and are not on the same level as people we have come to know and understand. Apathy thus starts to set in.
What Can I Do About It?
Like it or not, social platforms are here to stay. What we can do, is be discerning about the time we spend on our online relationships; and try to strike a balance between the different aspects of our lives. Prioritize the relationships in our lives, and stay open to new people and ideas.
We should also try to care, and do our level best to not objectify anyone. Believe in the value, intrinsic or extrinsic, that every person brings into your life.
What matters in the end, are people. To have it any other way would be unimaginable.
Zhang Wenjie, Shaun
Shaun is the Staff Writer at MatchMove Games
How games make a difference
