Infinite Model Railroading

I set aside Detective Comics and rooted around the shelves to look for Finite and Infinite Games after I read Chris Ford's post speculating on what might happen to the model railroading landscape in the UK in a post corona virus world. Although my insight into the UK model railroading scene is built exclusively from their magazines, my understanding is that building layouts for shows is a cornerstone of the sociology of model railroading there, so if there are far fewer shows, or maybe none for awhile, it would seriously impact how a sub-group of people approach the hobby.

Reading his post got me thinking again of James Carse's Finite and Infinite Games that I first read back in the '80s. I wrote a little bit about it in the Three things I've learned post. Although in that post I was talking about the book in regard to model building, for me it also applies to model railroading. 

Basically, one could think of approaching model railroading in two ways: the finite and infinite. The finite version is one characterized by deadlines, schedules, building for competitions, shows, conventions, or magazines or other such venues. There are rules to be followed and rewards to be won. In this version, model railroading is somewhat like a business activity, or professional sport or entertainment. One of the key features of an infinite game, and infinite model railroading in particular, is that it isn't driven by externalities like events, deadlines, prizes, or money, and their associated rules. It's a personal pursuit where playing 'the game', in all its dimensions, is the focus. The infinite approach isn't a disguise for new age squishiness as things like the pursuit of craft through skill enhancement and mastery aren't abandoned. 

If there is a pull back from the current finite game approach, both here and elsewhere, maybe we'll see new approaches in the months and years to come as both the finite and infinite incorporate new ways of using the internet we haven't thought of yet. Time will tell.