action hero game

Action Hero Game 2 (Level 1) October 19th RESPONSES



compiled by Action Hero Ameya Gutta

How are you? What is your first reaction after playing this game?

Action Hero Anonymous - We need to change our conception about the city and people
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - It was a very different feeling..I was pretty much happy and it was one of those reactions when you say to yourself ; Life's blissful :)
Action Hero Siddharth - Slightly amused & shocked. Some of the experiences and reactions of people were pretty different than what I expected and so were my take aways from the game.
Action Hero Shreyasi - I'm overwhelmed! Very exhausted but extremely ecstatic (yes! till the end) . But really very happy to be able to play the game.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I am feeling confident and more brave.

Where are you playing from?
Action Hero Anonymous – Dus number market, Bhopal
Action Hero Vedika Mittal – Bhopal
Action Hero Siddharth – Alipore, Kolkata
Action Hero Shreyasi – Nehru Nagar, Bhopal
Action Hero Anonymous 2 – Bhopal

Why did you choose this location?
Action Hero Anonymous - I expected a variety of crowd and activities in the area
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - Because I thought I would interact with good people
Action Hero Siddharth - It was not too far from my PG and I have not been there yet
Action Hero Shreyasi - I chose Nehru Nagar because I dreaded the place.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - Because it was new to me

Gender
Action Hero Anonymous – female
Action Hero Vedika Mittal – female
Action Hero Siddharth – male
Action Hero Shreyasi – female
Action Hero Anonymous 2 – female

What is your age?
Action Hero Anonymous - 20
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - 19
Action Hero Siddharth - 32
Action Hero Shreyasi - 20
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - 19

1) Look at where you are. Make a mental record of everything you see, smell, hear, feel.
What did you smell. hear. feel. see? List everything.
Action Hero Anonymous - Market place with different activities going on simultaneously. Variety of people engaged in different things. Groups of unemployed people, shopkeepers, idle shopkeepers, shoppers and hoppers all over the place
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - When I looked around at first, a creepy feeling came; but eventually I prepared myself for the coming up tasks. There were a lot of people wandering aimlessly, many others busy in their daily chores, some of the vendors opening their shops, some of them cleaning the places around. Because, I was moving around swinging my arms, people were staring at me, wondering what was I doing.! I felt a little insecure roaming around there on an open unsafe street.
Action Hero Siddharth - Alipore Zoo. Under a large tree with circular cement bench around it. Fresh air, smelling of trees and plants around. Some group of boys sitting around me. An uncle and a kid too. Lots of people walking by. People are mainly conversing in Bangla and hence I can’t understand any of it. Coming to a city zoo after 15 years may be, feeling a bit nostalgic. ( I did go to Darjeeling zoo in 2011 but that was a touristy visit to slightly more exotic zoo).
Action Hero Shreyasi - I see men, men everywhere, couldn't spot a single woman but I was expecting that anyway. Those men were daily wage workers, who were waiting to be taken to construction sites. The place smelled strongly of beedi, almost each one of them was smoking beedi. I could hear them talk about how their day is gonna be , etc. I heard buses and cars honking because I was near traffic junction. I was feeling nothing as such initially but when those men started to stare I got a little paranoid, but that was it.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I feel awkward and new to the surroundings. There is a feeling of fear.

2) yawn. big yawn. stretch your arms. twist. arch your back. stand with your feet firm on the ground. smile.
How did you feel before after and during the task?
Action Hero Anonymous - Before the task: okay..,,that would be easy. During the task: no dude....this is not easy...being a girl, I am way too conscious about my actions in a public place
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - Hell, noo..! I can't do this..was my first reaction :P.. but I did it eventually for the sake of doing it. I was mocked at by people.. but then, I did not care!
Action Hero Siddharth - Felt more relaxed after the task. During the task didn’t feel much. For a instant felt embarrassed as my T- Shirt had risen exposing my belly causing a married woman passing by to smile
Action Hero Shreyasi - I saw the task and I started to laugh a little, I was thinking yawn – okay, big yawn – okay, stretch your arms – alright, twist- umm alright, arch your back - fine, but. .smile - no way! But eventually I did it all, thinking like I really needed some stretching! I was slightly conscious about people looking but I went on doing it. Few people started to stare but then I REALLY NEEDED TO STRETCH a little.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - It was embarrassing to do it at first and I felt shy. But after doing it I felt more confident.

3) Keep your chin raised. Make eye contact with passersby. Slowly walk up and down the place. Keep those arms swinging. Smile.
How did you feel before and after the task?
Action Hero Anonymous - Before the task: smiling part would be a little difficult...After the task: people did this task for me...they were the ones staring and smiling
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I did as I was told to, gradually I started to feel a lot more comfortable, and there I was, walking smartly..bearing a genuine smile on my face. It did not feel-at-ease to look into the eye of a stranger but I kept that smile alive and received a positive response.
Action Hero Siddharth - Felt relaxed, more in touch with the surroundings and also slightly happy. After the task felt good going till now. Felt also a bit lonely as almost all people are busy with their groups.
Action Hero Shreyasi - I felt good when I saw the this tweet on my phone. But when I started to do it, I was a little apprehensive, but as I kept walking and walking it got better , comfortable rather.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I was embarrassed to do the task but it was good and I felt more comfortable with my surroundings after the task.

4) stand alone. don’t lean. don’t fold arms. make eye contact with 3 different strangers. smile. earn a smile back from all three.
did you earn a smile? from whom? how was this experience?
Action Hero Anonymous - Two questioning smiles...asking me the reason of my smile
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I earned 5 smiles back..:D The feeling was amazing, I did not see this coming. There was this grumpy-looking female in her mid 40's.., I smiled at her and she asks me" why are you smiling? do u know me? , I happen to say- just another happy day aunty..! She asks" why? anything personal?" I reply-" no, just like that, my mom called up this morning and I had not spoken to her in a long time"..(had to make up something spontaneous). she says-"okay, beta.. keep smiling" ; that was so nice of her!! and I too say the same to her..having felt an achievement to turn that grin into a smile. One more thing, it’s easier to smile at females than at men..
Action Hero Siddharth - I would want to answer this in detail. I thought this would be easy. Why won't people smile back at you but I failed at this task. I was standing inside a mini clearing. Firstly a family with teenage kids passes by. I manage to make eye contact with the father and smile who looks at me suspiciously why is he smiling. Another Family. Another Father. Same experience. I catch the eye of the mother who looks away and doesn’t smile back. A young girl with siblings. Looks away. Another Uncle. Looks away. I start getting slightly flustered but still keep on smiling. I try varying my smile with a open mouth smile at some people. Still no smile back.
I finally get my first smile. A young guy who was walking with his friend first looks confused on seeing me smiling and then smiles back.
I feel slightly relieved.
But my ordeal is not over. For the next around 5 minutes I try getting a smile back from a variety of people but I don't get a smile back. I am consciously avoiding kids for the reason I think it would be easy to get a smile back from them.
I decide to walk a little ahead to more vantage position by the walking path to see if that would change anything. It doesn't. All types of people are continuously walking past me. Couples, groups of friends, families, large groups. Young, middle aged, old. Different religions. As I can make out from their clothes even different socio economic backgrounds. I am smiling at all of them but people either don’t make eye contact or if they do, they don't smile back. Several give me suspicious / amused looks like why is this guy smiling. In fact my mouth starts hurting by the end of the activity but I don't get 3 smiles back.
Action Hero Shreyasi - When I had just started to make eye contact with people, I felt slightly weird but after 2-3 puzzled faced a 9-10 year old girl in school uniform smiled back, she was hesitant. And a middle-aged woman, in a pretty saree smiled back
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - From three kids. I felt good. :)

5a) walk left from where you stand. count up to 75 steps and then find a place to sit . sit. occupy space. recline if you like.
where did you arrive? what was it like?
Action Hero Anonymous - Felt good...it’s my territory...I can sit and stand anywhere I like
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I went and sat outside a cafe'.., on a staircase, the place was really dirty and filthy..but I had to take a seat. I did so!
Action Hero Siddharth - I arrive at another circular bench at one end of zoo. I feel at bit sad at not getting 3 smiles back but feel relieved to be sitting now. I am still smiling hoping somebody would smile back at me.
Action Hero Shreyasi - I arrived at a sidewalk which on the side opposite to the road had a 6-8 inch thick and about a foot high PCC boundary sorts which was in level with the ground behind. I sat over there, I wasn't alone. It was fun, more so because I am used to sitting at places which aren't much elevated from the ground, I felt like a road-side-gunda-sort-of-a-person-who-stalks-chicks-and-eats-and-spits-pan-anywhere-and -everywhere. People were staring a LOT now and I could barely ignore.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I arrived at an auto stand. It was weird.

5b) Keep sitting. relax. recline if you like. stare at the sky. count the clouds. what is the colour of the sky?
What was the colour of the sky? How did it feel to do this?
Action Hero Anonymous - Blue and it felt as if the heaven was smiling at me.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - Soon after, I felt fine..pretty much okay, seemed like I didn't care..and I sat there, leaned back. I sat under the clear yet faded blue sky, thinking nothing, no hard thoughts in my mind, no sorrow, no regrets, just a feeling of satisfaction in me.
Action Hero Siddharth - The sky was pale in colour not very blue. It felt good to be doing something different.
Action Hero Shreyasi - White, because it was really very bright, I could barely see the clouds, if there were any. It was quite cool, I wouldn't actually do something so random anytime but that day I did it. Stares became lesser.

Action Hero Anonymous 2 - The colour of the sky was yellow. I felt a bit uncomfortable.


5 c. hum, sing, whistle your favourite song. keep sitting where you are.
how did that go? which song did you hum or sing?
Action Hero Anonymous - Didn’t do this one
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - no response.
Action Hero Siddharth - Went OK. I hummed Pani Da Rang as somehow that song stuck my mind
Action Hero Shreyasi - It was cool and kind of fun to sing Lucy in the sky with diamonds- Like a BOSS!
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - it was good. Counting stars- One republic.

5 d. think of all the things you like or love about your city
what do you like / love about your city?
Action Hero Anonymous - People and their slow happy life.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I like the well-cultured, learned people in my city.. the beauty it posses, the calmness in the atmosphere, the lake and the fact that it is less- populated, the good-natured people, and the beauty it has.
Action Hero Siddharth - I am new to Kolkata ( have been here for practically just four days ) so there are really not too many things I can claim to love about the city. But among the things I have seen or experienced I like the sweets and the slower pace of the city. The bench I was sitting on had a security guard sitting on it next to me. I asked him what he loved about the city. He said he loved the fact that in spite of it being a big city people can still have decent meals at a very low cost in the city. And the fact that though the city is Bengal people from other places (He was from UP) can still come and flourish here. He also liked the Durga Puja and Dakshineshwar temple.
Action Hero Shreyasi - I like the canopied trees on the roads which are really busy. The spring and the autumn in Bhopal. I love Bharat Bhavan, it is a magnificent building designed by Charles Correa , it is a centre for visual and performing arts. Neori Hills, where my home is, I get a bird's eye view of Bhopal (most of bhopal) from there, it is beautiful , especially at night
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I love the greenery of the city. I also love the beautiful lakes!

6 a) hungry? carrying food? snacking? or walking to a place to eat? eat. alone. eat slow. WHERE DID YOU GO? WHAT DID YOU EAT? 6 b) identify a new stranger and find out what that person loves to eat the most. share your favourite food thought too.  WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT? WHO DID YOU ASK? HOW DID YOU ASK? WHAT IS THE STRANGERS FAVOURITE FOOD?
Action Hero Anonymous - Pasta@ bake and shake
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - This task was the best part..!:) accidentally, it had started, I was walking down the lane and saw this old , confident, happy cute grandpa -age standing in the scorching heat of the sun, looking for something in his green colored jute bag. I approached him, and greeted him with a hi, he greeted me back, I asked him about his whereabouts and why was he there, he was still looking in the bag, and then he looked up, and asked me, why was I speaking to him, I made up a story, that I was missing my grandpa, so I bumped into him...he said- so nice of u beta.! And , then we talked and talked about the city, about each other's family, about his food tastes, about his life and we happened to be of the same college,..he was a retired engineer from my own college..:P so, we had common topics to talk about..and then he gave me some life lessons..and then just as I was about to leave, he asked me to accompany him to the juice shop.. I was startled at this..but I felt deeply comforted! Out of courtesy, I gifted him a small ganesha as a token of thank-you for making my day! he was so good,.. I escorted him to the bus stop- and there, as I was about to bid him good bye, I felt tears in my eyes.. and his too, he hugged me and I hugged him back, that was one of the best feeling ! I still think of him, and it lightens up my face.
Action Hero Siddharth - Since I have just recovered from Dengue and the doc had advised me against unhygienic street food and I can’t see any good options inside the zoo, I walk out. I manage to find a sugar n spice cafe a little far ahead. I had a potato burger meal there. Since the outlet is deserted except for me, I decide to ask the person serving me. I first asked him the same question as before what he likes about the city and then asked him about the food. He said though Kolkata has lots of places serving good food but what he likes most is Macher Jhol cooked by his wife / mom though he gets to eat quite infrequently as he mostly ends up eating food from the outlet itself.
Action Hero Shreyasi - I was carrying an apple with me and bought a packet a chips from a nearby shop, I sat on someone's vehicle parked in front of the shop. I identified a middle aged man wearing a peach shirt standing about 10-15 metres from me. I went up to him and asked if he could help in a study where I'm trying to find out what happens in my neighbourhood and if he could tell me what is his favourite cuisine. He seemed a little surprised, he interviewed me bit , he wanted to know my "background". After a minute or two he said he loves pineapples and tomatoes. He liked salads and regularly goes for morning walk every day.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I went to bake and shake. I ate a Pasta. I found a person who liked eating pizza

7) Exit right from where you're eating. walk 200 steps. stop. smile. toothy smile. LOL. laugh out loud.
Could you LOL? How was it? Where did you arrive in 200 steps?


Action Hero Anonymous - Didn’t do this one.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - no response
Action Hero Siddharth - Yes I could LOL. It was good to laugh. While I was laughing I somehow couldn't help thinking about the irony of people not smiling back at smiling person and in fact being suspicious of him. I reached outside National Library.
Action Hero Shreyasi - Haha I could! I can proudly say I LOLed standing next to the road. There weren't many people around, there was a just a clear ground with one or two trees. I gave people passing by (on the road) a good laugh too.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I arrived at a crossing. I laughed a little but not out loud.

8) Breathe in. Breathe Out. 10 times. Speak to someone of opposite sex. around your age. speak to them about ANYTHING. not #streetharassment. introduce yourself but not as #actionhero
How did you feel when you saw the message and after the task? Who did you speak with? What did you both speak about? How did you introduce yourself?
Action Hero Anonymous - Disguised an a radio jockey and asked a guy to record a love message for his five best friends since its international gay day.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I tried speaking to a guy of my age, but he seemed pretty disinterested, and then the next task was lined up.
Action Hero Siddharth - I felt slightly nervous as I had not been able to get smiles. But I was sure I would be able to talk to someone. I decided to go inside the library premises for I could not see any person of opposite sex nearby. I saw two girls ( they were hijab clad Muslim girls) inside the Campus in the grounds and decided to talk to them. They seemed a little younger to me ( They turned out to be PG students). I introduced myself as somebody new to town and asked them about the library and then about the city in general. In fact they even smiled back at me.
Action Hero Shreyasi - When I saw the message I was like no way! How can I ever have random conversation with a random person! But then after the initial shock, I started to look around, I saw a guy sitting idle under a tree, I went up to him (I took a small notebook and a pen with me) and I asked if he has 5 mins to talk, he seemed positive. So I asked him what does do. He said he is a mazdoor. I asked him what kind of work he , he said Chunai (brick-laying). I asked him if he likes it, he said he loves it, I told him that I studying how to make buildings , so I wanted to know what kind of workers are there in Nehru nagar. All of sudden his expression changed and before I could talk any further, he started to give strange looks, I felt uncomfortable so I got up and thanked him and left.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I introduced myself as a person doing a survey of the city and I asked him what he loved about the city.

9) fancy volunteering? find someone working outside + ask them if u can work w them for 30 min. don't go to lonely shop in lane. outside.
what did you volunteer to do? how did you approach this task? what did you discover?
Action Hero Anonymous - I worked in a shop. I arranged wallets in the shelves. I discovered that talking confidently to my colleagues can create a sense of safety in my mind frame.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I approached a florist shop initially, but he refused, so; I went and asked at nearby archies gallery and volunteered to work with them, they laughed but agreed, so, I attended a customer with them and helped them to clean., re-arrange things, and gained a new experience.!!
Action Hero Siddharth - This was another toughie for me. I decided to come out of the National Library and look for any opportunities around. I saw a policeman operating the traffic signal at the T-Point outside. Asked him if I could help him in any way. He said he didn’t require any help but we ended up talking about his routine day. Walked a bit further ahead. Saw a middle aged man peeling onions outside a street side restaurant. I asked him if I could help him. He refused and said I was welcome to watch but not help. Asked two more people they too refused help. Walked even further. Saw two Kabadi walas sorting Kabad separating Cans, Foil, Glass etc from a sack full of Kabad. Stood watching them. Did some chit chat. And then when one of them went to pick a sack full of more Kabad just went with him and helped him carry it. Then helped them in sorting. They kept on saying please don't but I said I am free and I can help and so I did. Came to know a bit more about their lives. I discovered that some people won’t even take your help even if you offer it and sometime you might have to deal with things that gross you out to complete a task.
Action Hero Shreyasi - I found a street hawker selling diyas, I just asked if I could help him sell those, he agreed. I found a boy selling patties ( he would add tomatoes and chutney to it), I asked him if I could help him prepare one, he agreed, he kept telling me what to do next, I bought that patty and ate it ! I discovered that shopkeepers, vendors, etc are more people friendly and that their task of selling is so not easy!
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I volunteered at a general store, it was good.

10) create an activity that would involve public participation. Could be cleaning. singing. story telling. 30 minutes.
hint- it could be anything. keep it simple. what activity will have everyone interested? willing to participate?
please share this experience. what did you do?
Action Hero Anonymous - I disguised myself as a radio jockey, and asked people to wish Ameesha Patel happy birthday. I felt sorry for people. But their active participation in the activity made me really happy.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal – I volunteered at a shop and helped them clean
Action Hero Siddharth - Couldn't do this activity as was too tired. Decided to head back home
Action Hero Shreyasi - I found a group of Swiss tourists (more than 10 people), they seemed willing to hear. I told them about Bhopal and where all they could go. I asked them about their stay in Bhopal and where they were headed next. A couple of by standers also joined in and they were listening.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I played the part of a radio jockey and asked people to wish a celebrity happy birthday in an entertaining manner.

11a ) Walk in the direction of your home. While walking- say out loud " I pledge to unlearn fear. To occupy space. To be visible. My city.
for the girls. what did it feel like?
Action Hero Anonymous - It was best conclusion for my game.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - It felt awesome! the streets seemed safer and I could roam around more freely!
Action Hero Siddharth - no response
Action Hero Shreyasi - It was awesome, I was kind of jogging towards the bus stop while saying the pledge.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - It felt liberating.

11 b) Pledge while walking -I pledge to unlearn biases. prejudices. I will stand against sexual harassment through non violent ways.
for the guys? what did you pledge? what did it feel like?
Action Hero Anonymous - Answered for the previous question
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - It felt kinda good.
Action Hero Siddharth - I pledged to unlearn biases. prejudices. I pledged that I will stand against sexual harassment through non violent ways. In view of my experiences of the day, the first part of the pledge felt true
Action Hero Shreyasi - no response
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I pledged to unlearn fear!


12 )last mile. last activity. stop at the bus stop. train stop. auto stand. in the direction of your home. ask 5 strangers "where are you going?"
where were the five strangers going?
Action Hero Anonymous - I didn’t do this one
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - One of them, was going in the same direction as me, one was just waiting there for someone, other had different destinations.
Action Hero Siddharth - Joka, Behala, Kadamtala, Shilpara, Joka
Action Hero Shreyasi - I asked two people sitting at the bus stop, they were sitting idle they said. I asked another man , he said he was going home.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - 2 of them were going to their offices, a girl was going to her friend's place. And a mother and a child were going to the market.

What have you discovered about your city?
Action Hero Anonymous – It’s safer than I thought it be
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I love my city more now..! :)
Action Hero Siddharth - Alipore area, Kolkatans are changing I thinking but am not sure for better too
Action Hero Shreyasi - My city needs to be occupied! If they see women around they won't stare. Also there are a bunch of interesting people.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - that it is beautiful.

What have you discovered about yourself?
Action Hero Anonymous - That I won't ever fear to express, to talk, to ask, to stare, to sit, to stand, to walk, to smile...to do anything I have stopped myself from doing
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - I am now able to do the things, I thought could not have done otherwise, I am a bit more confident now, and I have loved the experience blank noise has given me. it was utterly memorable.
Action Hero Siddharth - I may be extrovert but I need to further challenge myself to become more open and I need to further lose my biases, prejudices and pre conceived notions. People surprised me today. Also I think I need to get better at non verbal communications as I think that might be the reason people didn’t smile back at me.
Action Hero Shreyasi - I'm better at making candid conversations , than I thought.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - I am more confident and brave than I think I am.

What have you discovered about strangers?
Action Hero Anonymous - We perceive a lot of things about people with just their look. In reality, they are way different than what we expect them to be.
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - They are not all rude, and grouchy, as they may seem like, some of them turn out to be really kind-hearted and polite and generous and truly awesome.
Action Hero Siddharth - Strangers reflect the world at large they come from in my opinion. However the strangers I met today seemed to more cynical, more suspicious and being in Kolkata, a supposedly friendly city it seemed more ironical. However I am not about to give up on strangers , yet.
Action Hero Shreyasi - Strangers aren't always bad and mostly are approachable. But I would still be careful.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - that they are good people and we don’t have to be scared of unknown people.

How would you rate your experience? you can chose more than one.
Thrilling, risky, dull, exciting, adventurous, stupid, brave, open, closed, willing, dangerous, confrontational.

Action Hero Anonymous - confrontational
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - adventurous
Action Hero Siddharth - revealing
Action Hero Shreyasi - adventurous
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - exciting

What does it mean to be an Action Hero?
For you. This is entirely personal
Action Hero Anonymous - Action hero is someone who can do things like a hero
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - The feeling is beyond any expression of words.
Action Hero Siddharth - I think I am still evolving as an Action Hero. An Action Hero is anyone who challenges the existing notions about behaviour / views about street sexual harassment either by direct / indirect confrontation. I am on way but I need to more before I can be a true action hero
Action Hero Shreyasi - Being an action hero is to follow the pledge that we said out loud. And not just follow but to feel it, to get rid of the inhibitions we carry when we walk on the streets. It is a very positive feeling to have a sense of safety in your city. It isn't 100% but it is has exponentially increased after playing the game. It means to feel safe in your city and inspire others to do things to feel the same, things like - OCCUPYING SPACE.
Action Hero Anonymous 2 - no response

Every task is 5 points. 5 being the highest. 0 being the lowest.
Please mention task and how you grade yourself in each task
Action Hero Anonymous - Yawn: 2, Stare: 3, Sit and smile: 2.5, Job: 5, Talk to a stranger about the city: 5, Talk to a stranger about random activity: 4, Public participation: 5
Action Hero Vedika Mittal - #1- 4, #2- 5, #3- 4, #4- 5, #5- 4, #6- 5, #7- 3, #8- 3, #9- 4, #10- 4, #11- 4, #12- 4
Action Hero Siddharth - Task #1 : 4, Task #2 : 4, Task #3 : 4, Task #4 : 2, Task #5 : 4, Task #5b : 4, Task #5 c : 3, Task #5 d : 4, Task #6 : 4, Task #7 : 4, Task #7 b : 3, Task #8 : 3, Task # 9 b : 4,  Task #10. : 0, Task #11 : 4, Last Mile : 4
Action Hero Shreyasi - #1 - 5, #2 – 4, #3 – 4, #4 – 3, #5 – 5, #6 – 5, #7 – 4, #8 – 3, #9 – 5, #10 – 4, #11 – 4, #12 - 2

Action Hero Anonymous 2 - Task 1: 4, Task 2: 4, Task 3: 5, Task 4: 5, Task 5: 3, Task 6: 3, Task 7: 3, Task 8: 4, Task 9: 3

Action Hero Shivangini Tandon's report :

Report from Action Hero Game # 1:

Play and its crucial role in human life was described in Homo Ludens (Man, the player)  by Johan Huizinga, a Dutch historian. He says,  "Summing up the formal characteristic of play, we might call it a free activity standing quite consciously outside 'ordinary' life as being 'not serious' but at the same time absorbing the player intensely and utterly. It is an activity connected with no material interest, and no profit can be gained by it. It proceeds within its own proper boundaries of time and space according to fixed rules and in an orderly manner. It promotes the formation of social groupings that tend to surround themselves with secrecy and to stress the difference from the common world by disguise or other means." This definition of play is important to understand to fully grasp what we were doing last week. One of the participants touches upon this aspect and the role of play in behaviour and social change in an insightful article about the game in the Alternative.  I should stress however, that the Action Hero Game isn't so much about social change as it is about finding/creating a space for testing and unlearning certain behaviours in ourselves. I could get into trite assertions about 'be the change' and all that rubbish but this game, for me, isn't about change. It is quite simply about being. We spent a lot of time during the game simply practicing a state of being, albeit in a public space. There is something quite spiritual about that. But, I won't go there either. Instead, let's talk a bit about the play. 

Secrecy as play often entails, can be super fun, which is why the game wasn't allowed an audience.  The instructions and our responses weren't shared with anyone except the players. And, being covert allowed us an opportunity to be. None of you, nor anyone around me in the metro knew that my chin-up-eye-contact-making-standing-with-my feet-far-apart-behaviour was part of a game. In all likelihood I was unusual only to my self. I had huge problems with the idea of walking up and down the metro car or street with my arms swinging. I imagined that I would look happy but also raving mad. However, I am no spoiled sport and those were the instructions. 

And, then there were instructions to do things that came naturally. Things I already do, like travel in the general compartment and occupy space. Actions a Blank Noise veteran has learned over the years. Howbeit, it's one thing to do what you do and another altogether to do it deliberately, mindfully. When standing and smiling are the ONLY things you can DO - you are, in doing, forced into being. So, what I am I on about being? 

Being in my city, being everywhere who I am in those rare moments when I fully feel like myself. Not just when it is convenient. Surely,  no one is out to keep you from being? 

Well I am wrong about that. If it were ok for us to be anywhere,  we wouldn't call ourselves Action Heroes. And, Blank Noise wouldn't have had helplines and police details handy when we were playing. What I am right about though is that even being only comes with practice. You might be surprised at the results. I caught myself swinging my arms while on the street walking yesterday.  

Action Hero Game RULES


The following are the rules of the Action Hero Game. Follow close.
  • the location you chose to start from should be unfamiliar to you
  • go to the starting point alone
  • take public transport to reach the start point
  • arrive at location atleast 10 minutes prior to start time. 
  • commit to all of 4 hours of this game.
  • play alone- don't whatsapp, text, tweet etc unless the game asks you to. Use your phone only to receive text messages from us. text messages will be sent every couple of mins to an hour.
  • do not get into a conversation with a friend ,incase you meet one on the street while you are playing this game.
  • do not fold your arms at any point.
  • do not wear your sunglasses
  • do not plug in your ear phones
  • do not take photographs unless asked in the game
  • do not introduce yourself as someone participating in a game - try and think of other ways of introducing yourself, if required.
  • submit game report immediately after tasks are complete
  • if you don't wish to take on a particular task you can request another task. You will have this option twice.
  • you can quit the game any point you like as long as you submit a report on why you felt the need to quit.

Hints for 'Winners' :
  • be open
  • be present
  • be willing




Action Hero Game FAQ


What is this game?
An Action Hero sets new rules for street behaviour. 
The game player/ Action Hero receives a series of instructions or tasks over a period of four hours. The Action Game is played simultaneously across cities, countries, towns and time zones. The instruction arrives on the players mobile phone as an instruction.The Action Hero has to start from the location that is unfamiliar to her/ him.
While every Action Hero receives the same tasks, each participant responds differently to the given task or challenge.  For example if a task in the game specifies that the Action Hero initiates a conversation with a stranger- its upto the participant to decide which stranger he/ she chooses to speak with etc. This kind of decision making is contextual. Every potential Action Hero who participates in the game goes through a process of making decisions and enabling new behaviour on the street based on her/ his existing comfort level and the willingness to push or question it.

How many people can play this game?
Any number can play the game. Anything from one to hundred people.

Is this only for women?
No, not at all. Anyone can participate in the game

Do I need a smart phone to play this game?
No you don't need a smart phone. A basic phone that allows you to receive text messages will do! 

Do I need to have a twitter account?
Yes you need to create a twitter account if you dont have one.
Send a request to @actionherocity to play this game
Turn on mobile notifications on the twitter account when you follow @actionherocity so that our tweet can arrive on your phone.

Is there a number we can call Blank Noise at in case we can't figure twitter set up?
Sure!
*Preferred * Email us at blurtblanknoise@gmail.com
You can phone us between 9 30 am- 5 pm at 0091.9886840612 and we can take you through the registration process.

What if I don't feel like playing the in the middle of the game?
Try to understand why. You can always ask for another task if you're not ready to take the task sent to you on the phone. You also have the option to quit when you feel like.

Have you played this Action Hero Game before?
Yes, three times.
We played it for 12 hours in Bangalore in 2009
For five hours in Bangalore in 2012
For four hours in Tokyo, Japan in 2010

What should I keep in mind while playing the game? How do I prepare myself? 
Prepare yourself by being willing to explore the new and unfamiliar. Prepare yourself by finding the new in the very familiar. Prepare by not over preparing. Be open. Take a walk. 

What if I feel uncomfortable?
It's something you could be doing for the first time and it might be uncomfortable. Sit with discomfort , examine it, accept it, chose to reject it. We don't prescribe the behaviour; you define what you want to do. We will be proposing ideas. Your willingness will give these ideas shape and form. We will enable situations through our game task proposal but its your comfort and will that will build the experience.

Does this game mean the streets will become safe? 
Blank Noise is committed to tackling the fear based relationship women have had with their cities. The game does not promise a harassment free street after this. What we do those this game is set new rules for our interaction. Create new memories and associations with a place through a series of unexpected , sometimes risk taking, fear fighting actions.
The game is gender neutral. Anyone can play it.  How would men and women respond to the same task? How does every individual strategise around a challenge?
Having both men and women play the game and then share their insights enables a deeper understanding of our cities and public interactions.

What if I run into a friend on the street?
Say hello and get back to your game.

What if people ask me why am here?
The game rules don't give you the permission to tell anyone you're participating in an Action Hero Game. Find your reason.

What are the game rules?
Rules are published here

Can I play the game again?
You can play the Action Hero Game level 1 up to three times only.
After level 1 you can play Action Hero Game level 2.
Action Hero Game level 2 comes with a different set of parameters.

How many times can I play level 2?
You can play level 2 , twice after which there's the last and final level 3.

What's Action Hero Game level 3?
It's the last and final of our Action Hero Game series! After playing this game you're going to be the celebrated Super Action Hero Star.

What do I get at the end of the game?
TOP SECRET/// + ( and hopefully soon an Action Hero Kit) 
the kit is work in progress

ACTION HERO GAME



ACTION HERO KAUN? Register here 
hindi- 'who is an action hero?'


The Action Hero Game is built on a series of personal challenges in the city. 
The game is simple. Your game partner and opponent is you.
There is no one method or quick solution to be an Action Hero
Each potential Action Hero goes to a new area in his / her city. On arriving there potential Action Heroes receive 'challenges' via phone messages 
Action Heroes across locations receive a set of 6 tasks over 4 hours via sms
If you don't wish to do a task (eg task 1a) text us and we will send you another task (eg task 1B) 
Are you an Action Hero
Find out! Play this game!
The same rules apply to all participants.

no. of tasks = 6

duration = 4 hours
time = 11 am- 3 pm IST
date = 5/ 10/ 2013 
day= saturday
no. of players = infinite. 
multiple action hero players across cities, towns, countries.

location: 

start point:  chose your location on the city map. be sure to chose a place NEW to you as your start point.
end point:  top secret. cannot be disclosed. play the game. find out!

Action Hero Game Guideline:
Be willing to be vulnerable
Be willing to challenge yourself
Be willing to explore new and unfamiliar
Be willing to define your own limit
Be willing to take risks. Be willing to define your comfort level

Action Hero Game Instructions: 
the location start point should be unfamiliar to you
go to the starting point alone
play the game alone
take public transport to reach the start point
please use your phone only to receive text messages from us. text messages will be sent every couple of mins to an hour.
please do not fold your arms at any point.
please do not wear your sunglasses
please do not plug in your ear
please do not get into a conversation with a friend ,incase you meet one on the street while you are playing this game.
please do not take photographs unless asked in the game
please do not introduce yourself as someone participating in a project - 
try and think of other ways of introducing yourself, if required.
create twitter account and or send us your mobile number
follow @actionherocity to receive game instructions.
it's a closed account and only those playing the game can follow that space.
it will send tweet instructions to your phone

Action Hero Game Faqs here.

for any thoughts and questions do email us at blurtblanknoise@gmail.com

Action Hero Team on board includes
Shivangini Tandon, Abhishek Chaudhury, Yamini Deen, Maria Del Rio , Ameya Gutta , Jasmeen Patheja