Progress!

No, I'm not talking about fanatical love of the microchip - I'm talking about my major project, silly! Ideas are abundant. Here are some notes..

Post-Roy
After talking with Roy, I was taken back to the Joey game experiment I made earlier in the year. Using video games to literally swap places with others, as the "step into their shoes" saying goes. Teaching people to see beyond the surface impression of others, and to understand their motives. Perhaps working with stereotypes engaging in stereotypical behavior, but in truth simply going about their business. The surface impression breaks down when the players switch places and come to understand what was really going on.
A side note from something Roy said: Teaching about systems of ecology. Eg: Have some complex detailed way to create a potion, but then have some ecological disruption change or remove one of the ingredients so that now because of some small change the potion can no longer be made. :)


Post-Aukje
Talking with Aukje was very helpful, it helped ground an idea into a specific experience. What this particular idea came down to was the transitional moment when two strangers pass each other on the street. They both know the other is there, but often avoid eye contact.  
Why?
I think it comes down to eye contact being deeply personal. When eye contact is made with another, and is acknowledged by both, by smiling for example, a real connection is made. This is why I feel listening to music on the street, amongst others, feels... rude. It is an open statement that the person is separate and closed, not willing to communicate.
A game could simply express this concept of passing by strangers and making eye contact (or not).
A strong idea, a detailed game description will likely follow :)