Game Master: Again, welcome to EnginWorld! How do you like it? Dreary, isn’t it?
You: Yeah. Can I change my mind and go back?
Game Master: Well, under normal circumstances, yes. But you have to go forward for the plot…
You: The plot being…?
Game Master: I thought you’d never ask! As I said, this is EnginWorld. The people in that town value three things above all: Objectivity, Rationality, and Hard Work. But the shadow that underlies the town is a disease—a disease the healers call “Witly.”
You: Witly?
Game Master: Yes. It’s quite an interesting disease. The afflicted would certainly not call it a disease. On the contrary, they would see it as a strength—a strength that enables them to be better, more competent citizens of EnginWorld. Initially, this threw the Beakers off. But upon further examination, we— The Game Master gives a swift glance to the side —I mean, they realized that the disease promotes behaviors so in line with the values of the town that it makes it harder for the patients themselves to detect. They can even get quite ferocious if you suggest they have it.
You: …So, what exactly are the symptoms of Witly?
Game Master: Oh, sorry, I jumped the gun a bit. The disease is psychological and affects how the patient interacts with the world. If I had to summarize the symptoms, they would be:
Illusion of Justice: Positioning themselves as a “savior” who will guide the “others” in town back toward being “good citizens.”
Worship of the Scroll: A push toward requiring things to be written down in order to create and preserve their power.
Tyranny of the Clock: A keen sense of urgency where everything needs to be produced quickly, believing that “more” equals “meaningful.” This ignores the actual quality of the output.
Rigidity in Thought: Adopting a mindset of binaries. They conveniently miss the nuances in life.
Snake of Paternalism: Hoarding power and wielding it in a way where those with less power are subject to their decisions.
Snare of Entitlement: While abusing their own power, they threaten the agency of others by expecting everyone to cater to their comfort while abandoning their own.
Glorification of Individual Achievement: A centering of the self without respect for the value of community [3].
You: That certainly doesn’t sound pleasant to be around. I can see why it’s hard to identify. Those truly do seem aligned with the values you mentioned.
Game Master: Indeed. And if this weren’t a town, perhaps it wouldn’t be such a huge concern. But the matter of fact is that this behavior—which is hard to treat because it requires overcoming the patient’s firm denial—has seeped so deep into the town that it has become one with its culture. Symptoms like the Snare of Entitlement and Rigidity in Thought work to isolate and decrease the quality of life for those who do not fit the mindset. It has gotten to the point where the “othered” citizens have gathered to make a small area for those fighting the illness. They’ve even got a cute little name for the area: EnginEE.
You: …EnginEE?
Game Master: What, you don’t like it? I think it’s pretty neat. Anyway, as they separated from the main town, as you can imagine, there are some tensions. The citizens of EnginWorld tend to think of those in EnginEE as bitter people who just didn’t have what it took to uphold the noble duties of an EnginWorld citizen.
The people of EnginEE are split: some believe that to be a good citizen, one does not necessarily have to follow the rigid values of Objectivity, Hard Work, and Rationality. Others believe there is still merit in those values. Most fall somewhere in between. Overall, the EnginEE community positions itself as a movement to reform the “problematic” parts of EnginWorld.
You: How’s that been going for them?
Game Master: ….Well. Some are certainly trying. And some… well… you wonder what even drew them to the community in the first place. When they were living in the larger EnginWorld community where most of them were othered, they could clearly see the problems. But ironically, despite forming their own community, it seems they brought the very attitudes they were running from with them.
You: ???
Game Master: Within the community, attitudes around power hoarding have taken root.
You: They are also dealing with the disease?
Game Master: Well, they never quite left the town. They just found an area to call their own, so it was bound to reach them eventually. Though, the healers have more hope for their treatment since many in the community have the experience of being “othered” to draw upon. For those in the community who don’t have that experience… well, the hope declines a bit.
You: Mm. Interesting.
Game Master: Even more interesting is your task.
You: My task????
Game Master: Yes. To leave, you will need to investigate the true impact of Witly on both EnginWorld and EnginEE and suggest a possible cure.
You: (Deep, heavy sigh) Please… please tell me you’re joking.
Game Master: Mmm, unfortunately for you, I’m not. But fortunately for you, you’ve got some help. 🙂
You: …
Game Master: Aren’t you gonna ask what help?
You: (Sigh) I doubt it’ll make a difference, but yeah, sure. What help?
Game Master: Well, of course, you’ll have me, but I’ll walk you to the EnginEE community. I know a place where you’ll be in good hands.
You: I really hope so…
Game Master: You should have more faith in me. I have no reason to wish for your demise. Follow me.
You: …
Yaathought 