The Video Game That Asks You to Ponder the Meaning of Soup
The Video Game That Asks You to Ponder the Meaning of Soup
Paula Mejia
October, 25, 2017
Summary
Something Something Soup Something is an interactive game set in 2078 where players act as servers deciding what qualifies as soup for humans, while aliens cook increasingly strange meals. Players must judge items such as batteries in liquid, rocks with garnishes, or frozen substances, choosing whether they are “soup” or “not soup.” Created by philosopher and game designer Dr. Stefano Gualeni, the game is a thought experiment inspired by Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language. Drawing on cross-cultural focus groups, it highlights how everyday concepts like “soup” are vague, culturally influenced, and impossible to define precisely.
Reference
Mejia, P. (2017, October 25). The video game that asks you to ponder the meaning of soup. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/video-game-meaning-soup