A paper is published that 'Mario Kart' has hints to eliminate poverty from the world
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Andrew of the Faculty of Global Environmental Studies, Boston University, wrote that the rules that make the world-famous action racing game ' Mario Kart' interesting hide hints for eliminating poverty from the world and creating a sustainable society. Associate Professor Reed Bell made a presentation.
From Mario Kart to pro-poor environmental governance | Nature Sustainability
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-021-00685-8
Could Mario Kart Teach Us How to Reduce World Poverty and Improve Sustainability? | The Brink | Boston University
https://www.bu.edu/articles/2021/could-mario-kart-teach-us-how-to-reduce-world-poverty-and-improve-sustainability/
Mario Kart is a racing game in which you can accelerate your character with items obtained from the item box on the course or interfere with other characters to give your race an advantage. Regarding Mario Kart, Associate Professor Bell said, 'I have enjoyed Mario Kart since I was a kid because anyone can enjoy playing it, and my children are also playing Mario Kart.' ..
Associate Professor Bell, who is a fan of Mario Kart and an expert in environmental science, seems to be forced to continue farming inherited from his parents when conducting field surveys in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, etc. I have seen. Regarding such a situation, Associate Professor Bell said, 'Agriculture is not a job that people who do not want to do farming should do. Becoming a farmer means becoming a business owner or an agronomist, and it is a difficult task that requires labor. Because it's a job, but poor farmers in developing countries have no choice. '
Associate Professor Bell, who was looking for a way to save farmers in poverty-stricken developing countries, focused on the rule that 'the lower the ranking, the stronger the player' in the racing game. For example, in Mario Kart, the lower the ranking, the higher the probability that a good item can be obtained from the item box, so even a player who is late can aim for a one-shot reversal.
Associate Professor Bell thinks that by designing a subsidy program that can provide more generous assistance to the poorer people by referring to this rule, it may be possible to improve the poverty problem. Specifically, the government has launched a subsidy program, and hydropower companies that use it will work with farmers to introduce farming methods that prevent land erosion, resulting in dams and hydropower by hydropower companies. It is possible that the construction of the place will be possible. These cases require complex subsidy systems, but when functioning properly, they can both support farmers and protect the environment.
These attempts have been made, but they have not always been successful due to the fundamental problem of 'difficulty in reaching those in need.' However, with the spread of smartphones in recent years, it has become easier for poor people to access information, so it is becoming easier to implement approaches to resolve the gap between rich and poor and to verify their effects. Associate Professor Bell claims that there is.
In his treatise, Associate Professor Bell said, 'The rules for Mario Kart's items are to allow those who are late to race to get the best items to close the gap, such as the golden'Powerful Dash Mushroom'. It is designed for the purpose. In order to alleviate poverty and improve the environment, it is important for researchers and associate professors to think 'what is the golden mushroom in each situation and task?' It was.
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