Democracy today is fragile. Throughout the world, its principles are being challenged, by politicians, corporations, and individuals. Deciding how we are going to make collective decisions is urgent while the balance between individual and collective goals is delicate. Can democratic systems survive if we hold different values? Can collapse lead to better paradigms?
Playing Democracy 2.0 is a giant multiplayer game of Pong exploring the principles of democracy. Participants don’t just play, they rewrite the rules to explore and challenge the limits of democracy. Designed for up to four players, they control game paddles using their body movements tracked by 3D cameras.
Each time a team scores, they can modify one of six game rules, which are in essence the principles of democracy: fairness, equality, freedom, rights, transparency, accountability. Players can cooperate with each other, modify the rules individually or collectively, or violate them, which could cause the game to fall apart.
