Some new research out recently found that in contrast to what we often hear about gaming, playing video games may help to replenish our energy and boost recovery from work-related stress.

Playing games not only helped with psychological detachment (the ability to mentally switch off from work), but also promoted mastery experiences (i.e., the feeling that you’re learning new things and facing challenges).

An important factor for mastery experiences is whether employees have “obsessive” or “harmonious” passion. Those who reported higher harmonious passion (engaging in a task enjoyably without compulsion) reported a stronger relationship between time spent gaming and the experience of mastery.

Controversial idea maybe, but workplaces could consider getting gaming consoles to help people switch off for a while. I’m pretty sure some tech companies and film companies already do this.

Lucky for me there’s a pinball arcade two mins away from my office in Wellington!

LISTEN ABOVE

Some new research out recently found that in contrast to what we often hear about gaming, playing video games may help to replenish our energy and boost recovery from work-related stress. 
Playing games not only helped with psychological detachment (the ability to mentally switch off from work), but also promoted mastery experiences (i.e., the feeling that you’re learning new things and facing challenges). 
An important factor for mastery experiences is whether employees have “obsessive” or “harmonious” passion. Those who reported higher harmonious passion (engaging in a task enjoyably without compulsion) reported a stronger relationship between time spent gaming and the experience of mastery. 
Controversial idea maybe, but workplaces could consider getting gaming consoles to help people switch off for a while. I’m pretty sure some tech companies and film companies already do this. 
Lucky for me there’s a pinball arcade two mins away from my office in Wellington! 
LISTEN ABOVE

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB.

News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB. News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB.News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Dr Dougal Sutherland: How using video games can help us unwind from work

He’s been described as “the John le Carré of his generation” and a “megastar of the genre”. 

British spy writer Mick Herron has earned millions of fans around the world and delighted critics with his thrilling plots, rich characters, and dry humour.  

He’s won dozens of awards for both his Slough House series, his stand alone works, and his short story collections, and ‘Slow Horses’ and ‘Down Cemetery Road’ have both been adapted to the screen. 

Herron’s on our shores for the Auckland Writers Festival, in which he’ll introduce the latest addition to his iconic series, ‘Clown Town’, set during the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. 

‘Slow Horses’ was originally released in 2010, and wasn’t particularly successful, especially when compared to the acclaim both the book, and Herron's work as a whole, now holds.  

Herron told Jack Tame things changed one day at a time, so it doesn’t feel like that big of a difference. 

“It was a low slow process, and it’s one in which, I mean, my part in it has been that every – well, most days, not every day, most days I just sit down and get on with the book that I happen to be writing.” 

“Everything else goes on around me really,” he told Tame. 

He attributes his success to his publishers, the people working in marketing, those who run festivals, and so on. 

“I just respond to invitations and very happily turn up.”  

Over four million copies of his books have sold around the world, but Herron isn’t quite sure what it is about his work that people connect with so much. 

“I don’t intend to investigate it too closely,” he said. 

“It’s a feeling that if I did, I might break something without meaning to.”  

“I just carry on doing what I’m doing and hope I’m doing it right ... I just do what I’ve always done, which is write the novel that’s inside me that I need to write.” 



LISTEN ABOVE 

He’s been described as “the John le Carré of his generation” and a “megastar of the genre”.&nbsp;
British spy writer Mick Herron has earned millions of fans around the world and delighted critics with his thrilling plots, rich characters, and dry humour. &nbsp;
He’s won dozens of awards for both his Slough House series, his stand alone works, and his short story collections, and ‘Slow Horses’ and ‘Down Cemetery Road’ have both been adapted to the screen.&nbsp;
Herron’s on our shores for the Auckland Writers Festival, in which he’ll introduce the latest addition to his iconic series, ‘Clown Town’, set during the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.&nbsp;
‘Slow Horses’ was originally released in 2010, and wasn’t particularly successful, especially when compared to the acclaim both the book, and Herron's work as a whole, now holds. &nbsp;
Herron told Jack Tame things changed one day at a time, so it doesn’t feel like that big of a difference.&nbsp;
“It was a low slow process, and it’s one in which, I mean, my part in it has been that every – well, most days, not every day, most days I just sit down and get on with the book that I happen to be writing.”&nbsp;
“Everything else goes on around me really,” he told Tame.&nbsp;
He attributes his success to his publishers, the people working in marketing, those who run festivals, and so on.&nbsp;
“I just respond to invitations and very happily turn up.” &nbsp;
Over four million copies of his books have sold around the world, but Herron isn’t quite sure what it is about his work that people connect with so much.&nbsp;
“I don’t intend to investigate it too closely,” he said.&nbsp;
“It’s a feeling that if I did, I might break something without meaning to.” &nbsp;
“I just carry on doing what I’m doing and hope I’m doing it right ... I just do what I’ve always done, which is write the novel that’s inside me that I need to write.”&nbsp;

LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Mick Herron: British spy author on writing, his success, and new novel 'Clown Town'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/563e2574-d497-424c-a72d-b44c0023c0d0/transcript

What does the phrase “doing the edges” mean to you? 

Most people would think either of assembling the outside of a jigsaw puzzle, or cleaning up and trimming around the edge of your lawn. 

And while Kevin Milne understands the purpose of one of those, he doesn’t quite get why people bother with the other. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

What does the phrase “doing the edges” mean to you?&nbsp;
Most people would think either of assembling the outside of a jigsaw puzzle, or cleaning up and trimming around the edge of your lawn.&nbsp;
And while Kevin Milne understands the purpose of one of those, he doesn’t quite get why people bother with the other.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Kevin Milne: Why "doing the edges" doesn't make sense

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a5d8f7ff-b9ae-408d-b026-b44c001d409f/transcript

It’s the 21st anniversary of the debut album from iconic Kiwi band Fat Freddy’s Drop, ‘Based On A True Story’. 

And to mark the occasion, they’re setting off on a world tour – kicking things off with three performances in Auckland.

Chris Schulz was at the first show last night, and joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

It’s the 21st anniversary of the debut album from iconic Kiwi band Fat Freddy’s Drop, ‘Based On A True Story’.&nbsp;
And to mark the occasion, they’re setting off on a world tour – kicking things off with three performances in Auckland.
Chris Schulz was at the first show last night, and joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Chris Schulz: Reviewing the 21st anniversary tour of Fat Freddy's Drop's 'Based On A True Story'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c865f5e2-2c7f-419d-90ea-b44c001c3d96/transcript

Dr Dougal Sutherland: How using video games can help us unwind from work

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