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Game play

I've been devouring books at a rate of knots as part of my psychology course. Some of them are irritatingly dull, some are tough to get through but ultimately rewarding after a bout of perseverance, and some are simply illuminating.

I have just finished one text which belongs to the latter category - so interesting that I read it in one sitting last night (the evidence is in my baggy eyes this morning). The author is Eric Berne, a Canadian-born psychiatrist who ended up practicing in California, my own emotional home. Berne developed the new and, at the time, revolutionary theory of Transactional Analysis. The book, 'Games People Play' was published in 1964 and is, to my mind, still entirely relevant to modern life; I guess basic human nature evolves at a tortoise pace.

I won't go into any detail - I don't want to spoil it for you should you choose to read the book - but I heartily recommend it. Even if you're not especially interested in psychology it will certainly make you laugh and, at the very least, you'll never view a cocktail party in the same light ever again.

Personally, I'm working towards the ultimate paradigm shift - the attainment of autonomy (in TA this is manifested via the recovery of awareness, spontaneity and intimacy) with the end goal being a refreshingly game-free life. Wish me luck.

Comments

Anonymous said…
This is a wonderful book and a invaluable tool for those who choose 'to look'. A game-free life is so refreshing after the never ending bullshit of 'normal' life. I wish you all the luck in the world.
Kate B. said…
Thanks Anon. Funny how much it scares some people though, isn't it? Think I'll need all the luck I can get!

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