ANT 32 - Schull Questions

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University of California, Davis *

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Computer Science

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Dec 6, 2023

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Schull Q’s 1. How have shifts in gambling technology in Las Vegas triggered shifts in the types of people/populations that gamble there? Be specific/use example(s) (75 words) Shifts in gambling technology have made it easier for people to get in the “zone” and immersed in game play. For example, people said the old slot machines didn’t give them a sense of challenge or any decision making. With the invention of newer games like video poker, where the game experience involves making more choices, players are now able to get into a steady repetition of choosing operations without the attention that accompanies live games. 2. What makes the gambling industry such a seemingly natural place for innovations in surveillance technology? Go beyond the simplistic notion that it keeps people in one place for periods of time. How do casinos use surveillance technology, and why? Be specific/use example(s) (100 words) Casinos are establishments that aim to make a profit, so technology that allows them to make more money through calculated payout rates would be advantageous to the casino. In a place where lots of money is leisurely spent, it seems natural for there to be security and surveillance to give patrons peace of mind. The gambling machines in casinos are able to record so much information about a player through individual play. It can monitor a player’s preferences, wins and losses, coins played per game, time spent per play, number of drinks ordered, visits to the casino, etc. These individual machines then use this information within a larger network of units controlled by a central computer. 3. What is "the zone"? How is this affective state cultivated by specific material properties of casinos and their technologies? For what purpose? (100-150 words) The “zone” is a state of being that players get into when they become so absorbed and immersed in a game that they neglect to act with purpose and intuition. Instead, they give way to play and chance. It is quite easy for a player to get in the zone because the casino environment is very conducive to this behavior. Gambling machines are designed with a “total package” ideal in mind. Machines are designed to suit the singular preferences of every player they come across so that player stays at the machine. They’re also aesthetically pleasing with high-resolution graphics, animation, and sound. The seats are designed with ergonomics, gaming tables and machines in mind. Some casinos even cater to players’ demand for isolation. Furthermore, many casinos now operate on credit-play, so players don’t have to see their money physically go into the machines. 4. How does cultivation of the "zone" change how people in "the zone" experience their bodies? This is part of a larger discussion in this class about how different cultural practices, spaces, and

choices cause us to differentially experience our bodies- something that would seemingly be constant. (75 words) That thrill and initial shock from gambling becomes a norm after some play. Gambling machines are generally operated by pulls, switches, levers, buttons, etc., and provides and automated experience. Continuous game play makes a player trained to do the same actions over and over, and that player is left in some kind of auto play mode. Then that person just becomes immersed in the game, not in the technology or aesthetics that initially drew him or her in.

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