Don't stand in the fire

I wasn't expecting World of Warcraft to teach me anything about scarcity, trust, leadership or patience. I was just looking for a new game to play. A place to unwind a little. But after a while, I saw what the game could be. And I wanted more. I wanted in.

I joined a guild.

And suddenly, WoW became more than just finishing quests and slaying pixels. I started to see what was underneath: a virtual world where success depended on cooperation, dedication and talent. No one was getting paid. There was no HR handling disputes. We were on our own to figure it out, relying on wits, ingenuity, and organization to accomplish something difficult. Together.

And when it all worked, it was amazing. It was the best feeling in the world. And when it didn't? That’s when everyone had an opinion.

There was something special about that time. The newness of it all. Discovering what was possible. Even though it wasn't real, it meant something. It was fun. It was challenging. And for two years, I played too much.

These are my stories.