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This reminds me of a set of poems, Knots, by R.D. Laing, the first of which goes:

> They are playing a game

> They are playing, at not playing a game

> If I show them I see they are, I shall break the rules and they will punish me.

> I must play their game, of not seeing I see the game.

It's a lovely collection, and though I haven't thought about it recently, I think there's a lot of value in considering these kinds of unspoken self/group contradictions.



Thanks for sharing! Knots has lovely metre, which feels/sounds like the famous Bene Gesserit litany against fear.

I must not reveal the game / Revelation makes me the rule breaker / Revelation means alienation that brings total ostracization


I lost the game.


Same here. Had such a long streak going as well.


Not until I read your message, ugh


sorry, can you clarify what you mean by you lost the game?


The game: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Game_(mind_game)


Thanks for the Wiki link. This part is hysterical:

> in several schools, The Game has been banned.


Good for them lol, its nice to see schools provide environments for winners !


Ahhh. I lost, but will make sure my family will win. Ipcontentfilter='...'


> The Ball no question makes of Ayes and Noes,

> But Here or There as strikes the Player goes;

> And He that toss'd you down into the Field,

> He knows about it all — He knows — He knows!

- Omar Khayyam


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_bind




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