26 Comments

An outstanding essay, crowned with lustrous hand-drawn art.

Your comparison of gamification to Minos’ Labyrinth is perfect; we’re surrounded by winding pathways forged by craftsmen, leading us to believe they are the only routes we can take. But if we only broaden our gaze, we see that the world is actually wide open, and the sky is the limit.

I have only one, minor, quibble. My surname is Bhogal, not Boghal. Aside from that, I can’t fault this piece at all, and it has earned you a subscription!

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I'm not sure whether I feel more mortified that I misspelled your name or delighted that you liked this piece enough to subscribe! And somehow I spelled it correctly in the title, but then the misspelling stuck throughout the essay. I just fixed it, but my shame lingers...

I've been enjoying both The Prism and your substack notes immensely. When I googled you, I also learned that you have been researching terrorism, and I thought your piece about their use of language was super interesting.

Thank you for subscribing, and I hope you enjoy my other essays, too! I publish one every other week.

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There’s no need for shame! My name is somewhat labyrinthine (heh), and almost everyone misspells or mispronounces it, so I’m used to it.

I’m glad you enjoy my writing, and I look forward to enjoying more of yours.

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I have been wondering how to pronounce your name! Can you share a phonetic spelling?

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Guh-win-dur (but with no stresses on, or pauses between, syllables, so it actually sounds more like Gwindur).

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Thank you! I was definitely mispronouncing it, with a "wind" as in "winding labyrinth."

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Me too! Thanks for asking about the pronunciation!

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Note to self: Gwindur, Gwindur, Gwindur...

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😆 Another reminder for us all to never misspell the sweetest word to everyone - their name, ESPECIALLY their surname.

But I really enjoyed reading this article, for it has challenged my existing beliefs on certain topics I'm never comfortable sharing with.

Thank you, Megan Gafford.

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Let us all just forget that ever happened 🫣

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! But the ultimate credit goes to Gurwinder.

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Music to any artist's ears! I'm so glad the drawing is haunting you.

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This is a brilliant essay and incredible artwork. I’m in awe of how you drew so many concepts and art together. As a former mad (as in angry) scientist, I love how you’ve repurposed your talents to tell a story. New sub here and thank you Gurwinder for this discovery.

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What made you angry? What kind of scientist?

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I was a systems and cancer biologist. Academic narcissistic culture, unethical practices and publish or perish pressures ate away at my soul.

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Understandable! I had always wanted to be a professor but developed doubts about academia, too.

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Academia is a zero-sums game. Never worth it unless you’re a psychopath 🤪

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Your maze drawing is spectacular. I can’t get it out of my head. Facing Daedelus away from the viewer, and representing the stone’s irregularity, and the whole field stretching out to infinity - it’s lonely, hushed, inward - really fantastic. Thank you.

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I'm so happy to witness you extremely bright and talented thinkers come together!

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🥹

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Hot damn!

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What a brilliant article! The comparison is just perfect and also the artwork. Subscribed!

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Thank you!

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Such an interesting article. As a gamer I can relate. 😁

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I hope you're playing the right games 😉

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Nerd-sniped? That link is bringing me to all the comments on Gurwinder's essay and I'm not sure which one you want me to look at.

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