TALK is a card game – a conversation game.
But TALK is not just a conversation game.
It wants to be a part of the analogue revolution.
It is here to connect you to the people around you.
Through meaningful and open-hearted conversations, we can connect in new and deeper ways.
Once upon a time there were cavemen, and they didn’t speak so well. So they would beat each other in the head instead.
Luckily, we’ve evolved and we are now capable of communicating in more civilized ways. Sometimes we need to train that ability, but what we really need to learn, is to listen. Way too many conversations fall short, due to our inability to understand how amazing it is, to really talk.
TALK is meant to spark good conversations, whether you feel like learning something new or you feel like you already have the scoop on social interactions
THIS TEXT ON THIS SITE WAS ON A KICKSTARTER – It’s relaunching in the fall 2019
So that’s all good, but how is it played?
TALK is beyond simple, it’s really just a card game! So, to begin with, you have to know some kind of card game, any kind you would normally play using a standard deck of cards. If you don’t know any card game rules, the rules for Rummy or Wars are freely available here. Playing with TALK cards ♦️, there’s an extra dimension to the game, as ten of the cards have topics on them ♥️
Whenever a TALK card is played, there’s a break in the game, where you share your thoughts on the topic, written on the card, or answer one of the six questions from the booklet.
Other players are allowed to ask questions, but they are not permitted to start talking themselves. When this is done, the card game continues till next TALK card.
Here’s how it looks:
This is just a mock-up made from the Danish version. The topics for the game have not been decided completely.
Follow TALK on social media (yeah, I know, not that analogue)
HYGGE in a game
“In other words, what freedom is to Americans. . . hygge is to Danes,”
– Wiking says in his book The Little Book Of Hygge.
Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world, often the most happy, according to the World Happiness Report. This might be because of our affinity for “hygge”. The concept of “Hygge”, pronounced “hoo-ga!”, has made its way across the globe in the last couple of years. If you’ve ever truly enjoyed reading a good book indoors on a rainy Sunday, or savoured a cup of hot cocoa on a snow day, you’ve experienced the sensation of “hygge” without even knowing it.
- Hygge with Friends
“Hygge” is about creating cozy, social gatherings and intimate get-togethers with family and friends. It’s the feeling of well-being and a warm atmosphere. And what better way to achieve this than pouring a delicious cup of steaming hot tea by candlelight.
TALK expands the “hygge” concept. It creates a frame for a conversation with “hygge”. By doing so, the conversation feels natural and cozy, and hopefully not forced.
Why does the world need TALK?
- Connected rather than polarized
The time we live in is often described with the word “polarized”. We seem to gather in groups based on our opinions. A community that has to agree to connect, is not a healthy community. We need to understand and accept that we are different and seek to understand our differences instead. This is why it’s important to connect through meaningful, honest conversations. When we connect through open-hearted stories, share our struggles and victories, and allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we let ourselves be seen and we connect.
- Connected rather than lonely
The opposite of loneliness is not just to be with other people. You can easily feel lonely in a crowd. What matters when battling loneliness is if you feel connected, and if your relationships live up to your expectations. For this, we need a safe space to open up and connect.
TALK helps you create that space and practice opening up to others.
THE ANALOGUE REVOLUTION
I believe we are in dire need of an analogue revolution, but the enemy that we need to revolt against is ourselves. I constantly have to understand how deliberate I need to be, when considering what I spend my attention on. I want to spend more time on people, than the screens I’m surrounded by.
In how many places can we be present at the same time, before our presence is completely lost? I don’t experience social media to be as social as it claims; physical presence should never be replaced by online.
Let’s revolt!
I felt lonely in the crowd. Now I’m trying to help others understand Friendship and loneliness.
I came up with this game 10 years ago, when I was in my early 20’s. I’m a pretty extroverted person. It has always been easy for me to talk to people and make new friends. But for a time I felt lonely even though I had a girlfriend and good friends. I guess I felt that we were connected, but somehow there’s was something missing. The game arose from a notion that maybe I needed a tool that could help me and my friends actively choose a more deep and meaningful conversation, instead of hoping it would happen on its own.
I then created the game. I had it for myself for three years before releasing it in Denmark. It surprised me how much it resonated with others. In the first month I sold 1700 games.
It’s been a fun journey, where I have been given the opportunity to go out and give more than 200 talks about friendship, conversation, community and loneliness.
I’ve gathered all this experience and told the story of my journey in greater detail, in my podcast series FRIENDSHIP + LONELINESS, which I hope you’ll enjoy. It is available on Spotify, Itunes and Youtube.
A photo from a session where the game facilitated the meeting between inhabitants from the same local area
TALK as a professional tool to help people open up
TALK has often been used for helping people open up in different kinds of professional institutions, from play in kindergartens, to psychiatrist sessions, and in the care work with elders.
What it does in a professional environment is that it eliminates the hierarchy for a short while. All participants have to share their stories as equals. When people become equal, they begin to open up in new ways. It’s all about being seen as a real human being. It works the same way for children and adults. It’s also great tool for a therapist to use, to help keep a conversation going within families and couples.
SNAK a Conversation game for KIDS
I promise that this beautifully drawn kids game will bring you good times with lots of sweet stories and opportunities to have fun and be present with each other.
SNAK means “talk” in Danish and I believe that some of the most important skills to develop at a young age, are the ability to be present and to listen with empathy. We know that kids are very inquisitive by nature and with ”SNAK – a conversation game for kids” they will get to use their curiosity to the fullest. The game is a fun training ground for kids to practice having good and open dialogues with each other and/or the grown-ups around them, in a safe and pleasant environment.
The children’s version is available in English, Danish And German and can be used for learning a new language as well.