The Score by philosopher C. Thi Nguyen takes readers on a fascinating journey into the world of games, scoring systems, and the subtle ways they influence our desires and decisions. From video games, sports, and board games to cooking, gardening, and even running, The Score shows how scoring systems can enhance the joy of action and give us goals to strive for.

But scoring isn’t just about games. The Score also examines how metrics, rankings, and evaluations dominate workplaces and bureaucracies, shaping how we measure success and sometimes undermining our independence. By exploring both play and real-world systems, The Score asks a profound question: Are the games we’re playing the goals we’re chasing truly the ones we want?

Thought-provoking and insightful, The Score challenges us to rethink how we value achievement, measurement, and personal fulfillment in every part of life.