The Colbert Report Season 7 Episode 20 Jane McGonigal

Jane McGonigal is the guest of the The Colbert Report season 7 episode 20. The episode is centered around discussing McGonigal's latest book, "Reality is Broken," which takes a positive approach to video games, saying that they could be used to solve real-world problems. Before McGonigal comes on, Stephen Colbert gives suggestions for ways to use video games to fix society's problems, like making droughts into fun challenges or convincing kids to get physical exercise by making it a video game.

When McGonigal arrives, she explains the concept of the book and talks about how she thinks video games have an immense potential to solve real problems. Colbert plays devil's advocate, asking if video games are just a means of escape instead of a true solution to problems. McGonigal counters by saying that there are examples where video games have already made a difference, like the game "Foldit" which helped solve a protein-folding problem that scientists had been struggling with for years.

The conversation turns to how video games can be addictive, and McGonigal raises the point that people become addicted to video games because they feel a sense of accomplishment in them. She argues that if we can take that sense of accomplishment and apply it to real-world problems, then we can motivate people to get involved in finding solutions. Colbert jokingly suggests that they should make a video game about solving the national debt crisis, which McGonigal agrees could be a great way to engage the public.

One of the more interesting aspects of the episode is when McGonigal and Colbert discuss the idea that video games can actually make us more empathetic. McGonigal points to studies that have shown that playing a game where you control an avatar with a different skin tone than your own can result in increased empathy for people of that skin tone in real life. Colbert tries to prove McGonigal's point by trying out a game that simulates color blindness, which he has a tough time with.

Overall, the episode is a fascinating look at how video games could be used to solve real-world problems, and how they can actually enhance our understanding of the world around us. Colbert's comedic approach to the topic balances out the seriousness of the subject matter, making for an entertaining and informative show.