Of Roads, and Rome, and the Soul of D&D

[Chainsaw Mage]

A
But that of course, depends on some consensus of definition, so I put to you the question: What is the Soul of D&D?

This.

 

[Umbran]

Unless D&D includes everything that has ever existed in the universe, it logically must differentiate it in some way.

I was talking about differentiating from other RPGs, and you seem to be talking about differentiating from everything in the universe. I no longer think we are talking about the same thing. I don't think we have to seriously consider how to differentiate D&D from toasters.

It may be that the soul of D&D is not clearly different from the soul of one or more or all other RPGs - the things that make D&D different from other games may not really be in the central essence of the game.

 

[pawsplay]

I was talking about differentiating from other RPGs, and you seem to be talking about differentiating from everything in the universe. I no longer think we are talking about the same thing. I don't think we have to seriously consider how to differentiate D&D from toasters.

It may be that the soul of D&D is not clearly different from the soul of one or more or all other RPGs - the things that make D&D different from other games may not really be in the central essence of the game.

I am very comfortable with considering the commonalities of D&D to be a textual experience. It isn't necessary to define a "soul."

However, if you do want to identify themes related to D&D, you have to be able to say that some things are D&D, and some things aren't. Unless, of course, you are willing to let the toaster inform our definition.

 

[Chainsaw Mage]

I am very comfortable with considering the commonalities of D&D to be a textual experience. It isn't necessary to define a "soul."

EDIT: Yep, Dawkins all right. I tried to find a picture of him looking cranky at the mention of "soul".

 

[Roland55]

Heisenberg is smiling. Or maybe its Schrodinger's Elephant.

I can't be sure.

If you put your elephant in a box and leave it be -- it can be all of the things discussed here and so much more.

Quantum Mechanics. It never fails to amuse me.