Global Rejig

Description

DEVELOPED BY DR. ZEINA MATAR AND STUDENTS AT DHBW UNIVERSITY IN STUTTGART, GERMANY: RAHUL PUROHIT AND SHUBHANSHU SHUBHANSHU

“Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder” wrote the US fantasy and science fiction author Maria v. Snyder in her book, Poison Study. Relationships – be they private or business – cannot be developed and become meaningful if they are not based on mutual trust. With the arrival of a global disruptive factor called Covid19, we are required to keep physical contact to a minimum, be “socially distant”, refrain from kissing, hugging, or shaking hands. Greetings and etiquette show only one side of trust-building, even though a handshake deal can be in theory legally enforceable.  A weak handshake, or an overly strong one can influence our impression of a prospective business partner, and hence our opinion, like or dislike of this person. As the pandemic brought the whole world to a halt, travel stopped, business and learning were shifted to virtual platforms, we also came to realize that the “new normal” will be indeed very much more virtual than it ever was in the pre-covid19 world. Virtual cooperation, and hence business, will increase and the big question is: How will trust be built in new ways and through yet little-explored channels?  The game explores situations involving trust and building-trust, and changing tides in the world during and post pandemic. In a perspective wider than just the inevitable changes in etiquette, we shall look at how cultural reactions are connected with understanding the pandemic and its interpretations.