To Get Good, Go After The Metagame
commoncog.com/blog/to-get-good-go-after-the-metagame
What Jamie wrote
This is such an interesting thought. What is the thing about the thing that you are doing that can allow you to exceed normal capability in that.
Every sufficiently interesting game has a metagame above it. This is the game about the game. It is often called ‘the meta’.
This transfers to other domains? Sure.
Like simpler games, real-world metas come in roughly two flavours: ones that are defined by external changes to the rules of a game, and ones that are shaped by a dynamic equilibrium of competition within a stable system of play. Unlike games, however, real-world domains have no set rules: they are vastly more complicated and interesting, because the rules change only when someone notices the rules have changed.
Many technologists do this without knowing. The game isn't the code, the metagame is learning new syntax and languages, or learning patterns. Those that excel, figure that out, and apply as needed. 🤓