# 2445
An intriguing idea out of Japan. A card game that gets people to think about how they, and other people, would react to a crisis.
It's called Crossroads. And it comes in a `bird flu edition'.
While superficially, the goal is to `win' the game, the real value comes from getting groups of people talking about ethical decisions that must be made during a disaster.
This from the Yomiuri Shimbun
Card game serves as disaster simulator
(Nov. 7, 2008)
The Yomiuri Shimbun
"Suppose you're a nurse. The hospital you're working for has decided to accept avian flu patients. You are worried you could become infected and subsequently infect your child, who goes to a daycare center, with the flu. Do you think it's appropriate to make up an excuse to miss work in this situation?"
This is one of the situations found in an increasingly popular card game called "Crossroads" in which participants exchange views about serious situations players could find themselves in.
The game was first devised for disaster prevention purposes after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Since then, many versions of the game have been developed, including games on subjects such as bird flu and food safety.
"Crossroads" is usually played by five people. One player reads question cards that have disaster-related questions written on them. The players answer each question with a yes or no vote.
When votes are split two to three, players in the majority each get a blue cushion card.
If votes are split one to four, however, the majority does not get a card, and the one dissenter receives a gold cushion card.
The participants subsequently explain why they chose to agree or disagree on the selection of a scenario.
The game is over when 10 scenario questions have been asked. The player with the most cushion cards is the winner.
One tactic of the game is to try to win as many blue cushion cards as possible by attempting to guess what the majority view will be after a question is posed. Another tactic is to try to get gold cards by attempting to guess what the minority view will be.
There are no correct answers, and the players do not need to make unanimous decisions or try to persuade those offering opposing views to change their opinions.
The game is designed to make each player aware of different viewpoints through discussion. This discussion is expected to enhance their ability to make sound decisions when confronted with serious situations.
Japan Public Health Association, a Tokyo-based nonprofit organization, created and began selling two versions of "Crossroads" this summer. One is on the subject of bird flu and the other is on food safety. The games are used by students and people interested in public health affairs.
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