Finding Hope in Wordle: A Simple Game Amidst Tech Turmoil
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Chapter 1: The Complexity of Technology
My connection with technology has evolved significantly over time. After attending a peculiar CES event that blended in-person and online experiences, where I encountered quirky innovations like a robot that tells jokes and cars that can change colors, I found myself riding a wave of technological excitement. However, this high was abruptly tempered by the grim anniversary of the January 6 Capitol Riot, a tragic event fueled partly by social media, which deeply shook my faith in democracy and highlighted the perils of unregulated technology, especially within the realm of social media. This serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by digital mobs, collective thinking, and opinion bubbles that thrive online.
Amidst this backdrop, I was confronted with the harsh realities of social media, which, despite its initial goodwill, often devolves into a toxic environment filled with hostility and indignation. A notification from the NextDoor neighborhood app caught my eye, titled "Public Request to NextDoor Leadership."
Curious, I clicked through to the site where I am part of my local community group. In the post, a woman earnestly appealed to the platform’s leadership to intervene in the "character assassination, harassment, and cyberbullying" she had been experiencing. Despite her reputation as a local advocate for community safety, she found herself defenseless against the very platform designed to foster connections. This incident underscored that, despite efforts to ensure genuine community participation, platforms like NextDoor cannot entirely prevent users from becoming trolls, revealing that the online social experience often sours.
I pondered why we consistently arrive at this negative conclusion. While technology isn't inherently detrimental, social media and online interactions seem to be on an inevitable path to decay.
Then I discovered Wordle.
Section 1.1: The Joy of Wordle
Wordle is an engaging web-based game that requires players to guess a five-letter word. Players input five letters on a digital keyboard, press enter, and receive feedback through color coding: gray for letters not in the word, orange for letters present but misplaced, and green for letters that are correct and correctly positioned. With only five attempts to guess the word, players can share their results on social media regardless of winning or losing.
Similar to the earlier phenomenon of Words with Friends, Wordle has taken the online world by storm, dominating conversations on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The game allows players to share their result grids without revealing the secret word, a clever feature since there is only one word released each day. This creates a communal anticipation as everyone waits 24 hours for the next challenge. Its brilliance lies in its simplicity.
Beyond the game mechanics, Wordle intentionally maintains a sense of distance from players:
- There is only one word to guess each day.
- Players engage individually.
- There is no designated space for discussion about the game.
- Aside from sharing results, there is no built-in community.
- It does not aim to connect players with one another.
- The game is free of charge.
- It never prompts players to "try again!"
- There are no leveling-up features.
My child suggested that its appeal may stem from its roots in the UK, contrasting it with the previous online game craze, HQ Trivia, which began with a few daily events and rapidly expanded to almost constant competitions, ultimately leading to its decline.
Section 1.2: The Solitude of Wordle
Wordle was designed to be a solitary experience, initially created nearly a decade ago by Josh Wardle as a way to stay connected with his partner during the pandemic. The game fosters low-stakes competition without the pressure of teams or excessive gameplay. It’s refreshing that players can celebrate their successes without the need for trash talk or the risk of burnout.
I feel optimistic about Wordle's current format and hope that Wardle resists the urge to expand it into something more commercial. It should remain akin to a daily word puzzle in a newspaper, which has existed for decades without fostering hostility among readers.
Wordle could serve as a model for a healthier form of social technology. Instead of constant notifications that perpetuate a cycle of validation-seeking behavior, imagine dedicating just a few minutes each day to enjoy a simple, shared activity with friends, family, and colleagues. For deeper connections, we could opt for emails, phone calls, or video chats.
While I understand that this ideal may be unrealistic, I urge everyone to appreciate Wordle's current cultural moment and reflect on why we cherish it now. My concern is that, should it become commercialized with apps and tournaments, we might lose sight of what initially drew us to it, just as we have with many transformative technologies. Recognizing when to say, "That's enough," is crucial.
Chapter 2: Wordle's Impact on Social Interaction
The first video titled "Save Wordle To Your Computer!" discusses how to download and enjoy Wordle offline, allowing players to engage with the game without the distractions of social media.
The second video, "What's the Wordle? | Tech Connect Live!" explores the phenomenon of Wordle and its impact on social interactions in the digital age.