Fighting a Virtual Pandemic

Imaginary Worlds

Eric Molinsky

Arts, Science Fiction, Fiction, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 April 2020

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 2005, the multiplayer online game World of Warcraft was taken over by a virus called Corrupted Blood, and the virtual pandemic in this fantasy world played out remarkably like COVID-19. I talk with epidemiologist and gamer Eric Lofgren, NYU game design instructor Alexander King and longtime player Virginia Wilkerson about the parallels between the pandemic in World of Warcraft the one we’re facing in the real world, and what lessons we can learn by studying how players reacted to a virtual virus. Also if you want to submit a story for our upcoming toys episode, email us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Tab for a cause is a browser extension that lets you raise money for charity while doing
0:04.9	your thing online.
0:06.6	Whenever you open a new tab, you'll see a beautiful background photo and a small ad.
0:11.6	And part of that ad money goes towards a charity of your choice.
0:15.6	It's free and incredibly easy.
0:18.1	Transform your tabs into a force for good in just 30 seconds.
0:22.4	Sign up at tabforacaws.org slash imaginary worlds.
0:29.9	Before beginning the show, I want to do a special call out for submissions for a future imaginary
0:36.0	worlds episode.
0:37.9	We've all had a favorite toy, stuffed animal, doll, action figure, or even a playset from
0:44.2	our favorite childhood cartoon or movie.
0:47.7	It's a toy that brought us hours of joy.
0:49.9	It's probably got some wear and tear, but it's still loved.
0:54.1	Toys from our childhood can serve as reminders of happier times, connecting us with our past
0:59.2	and making us feel safe.
1:01.6	Sometimes these toys have wonderful stories attached to them, and we want to hear those
1:06.6	stories.
1:07.6	Do you still have a toy from when you're younger that you hold on to?
1:11.6	What does it mean to you?
1:12.7	Why is it so important?
1:14.8	Is it a reminder of a specific person or just a sense of comfort when the adult world
1:20.4	feels overwhelming or frightening?
	...

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