The Existential in Red Dead Redemption 2

<p>People sometimes ask me what I think of video games. I think that, in moderation, they're a fine source of the kind of passive entertainment we all need little doses of in our lives. But for me personally, I rarely play video games because there's just too much other stuff I'd rather do instead.</p><p>There is one notable exception to my ambivalence towards video games, however. A game which I played for hours with thorough enjoyment and zero regret: <i>Red Dead Redemption 2</i>. It's a video game that's more immersive and story-like than most others, and even gets you reflecting on the existential layers of life.</p><p>Here to discuss those deeper layers of <i>Red Dead Redemption 2</i> with me is Patrick Stokes, a professor of philosophy and fellow fan of the game. We combine two of my favorite things — <i>Red Dead Redemption 2</i> and the philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard — in a conversation on the existential themes you can find in the game like nostalgia, freedom, choice and consequences, and the certain uncertainty of death.</p><h2>Resources Related to the Episode</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/knowledge-of-men/kierkegaard-on-the-present-age-podcast/" target="_blank">AoM Podcast #790: Kierkegaard on the Present (Passionless) Age</a></li><li><a href="https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/advice/podcast-635-the-existentialists-survival-guide/" target="_blank">AoM Podcast #635: The Existentialist’s Survival Guide</a></li><li><a href="https://theconversation.com/art-for-trying-times-how-a-philosopher-found-solace-playing-red-dead-redemption-2-142983" target="_blank">"Art for Trying Times: How a Philosopher Found Solace Playing RedDeadRedemption 2" by Patrick Stokes</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3VFOx9a" target="_blank"><i>Digital Souls: A Philosophy of Online Death</i> by Patrick Stokes</a></li><li><a href="https://philpapers.org/rec/BEHASW" target="_blank">"A Special Way of Being Afraid" — Kathy Behrendt on the fear of non-existence in death</a></li><li><a href="https:/