Her Story

Frank Lantz argues that games create meaning through the gap between a simulation and real life, letting players become absorbed in an activity and then reflect on what it means. He describes game design as shaping spaces for thinking and doing, and sees games such as Universal Paperclips and Shadow of the Colossus as examples of that double movement. He discusses how communities can develop games and play styles through modding, why deep competitive communities matter, and how games can become sports over time. He also explains how NYU's Game Center teaches both coding and artistic judgment, and why creative work and entertainment are hard to predict.

New Story Charity builds homes and communities with local partners, focusing on land ownership, donor transparency, and measurable impact. The founders describe how they tested their early fundraising idea with a simple crowdfunding page, then used ambitious goals and careful planning to grow. They explain why they partnered with ICON to develop a 3D cement printer, aiming to build stronger, lower-cost homes faster in places with limited resources. The talk also covers the challenges of proving the technology, involving communities, and sharing innovation across the social housing sector.