46: Why Go Isn’t More Popular, Exciting OGS Updates

Go is great! It's really great! Why don't more people see how great it is? Also, OGS also launched some really great updates! Here are the updates:
OGS Updates (forums.online-go.com/t/stone-...)
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[@seloranswivelton]

I am still hoping for a Queen’s Gambit equivalent regarding the subject of Go and still think perhaps a movie or show about Michael Redmond - a western player who later became a 9 dan professional in Japan - would be ideal if movies and shows are considered.
The following statement may be controversial, but I think the general western audience would be more interested in content with western cast or main characters than that with only eastern ones. I mean: though I have not read or seen Three Body Problem, apparently the Netflix series is a hit in the west after they American-washed or whitewashed the cast of - from what I gathered - the predominantly Chinese characters in the book the show is based on, so…
Anyway, Mr. Redmond’s story so far which - in my opinion - bridges the west and the east on Go can be found somewhat easily online including on UA-cam and is one that I find interesting as well as one that can hopefully let more people in the west learn about Go.

[@footofgod]

I'm currently trying to develop rules that help people learn more easily (and without constant guidance), at least for the first steps. This topic is my interest, I think your diagnosis is pretty spot on and anyone who's tried teaching people only to have their eyes glaze over agrees. I'd love to talk more about it!

[@Mitsu-q4h]

​@@footofgodI don't want to discourage you or anything. But we already have 3 main different rulesets that beginners get confused about every single day. And I'm also aware of at least two versions of simplified rules for beginners specifically that Japanese and Western pros are promoting.
In all faith, I don't really think go needs another ruleset. If anything, I hope to live to see a day when go players everywhere would come to an agreement and stick to the same rules
Unless you meant the word "rules" as a "guideline" or a different approach to teaching/studying.

[@Deepemulsion]

Personally I think the reason the game is not more popular is that there is little to no exposure to it here in the west. The fact that the majority of games played are alone/Online doesn't help either. I think another factor can be the way new players are taught the game if they feel overwhelmed with getting shown everything all at once this can hinder them from continuing the game.
Personally I start really slow with minimal rules and playing Atari Go on 9x9 to start. Eventually you start playing the real thing and adding in the more difficult concepts.
I also think trying to get more school programs out there would help as well. I recently started up a local club with the goal of eventually starting up a school club.
We had 6 people show up to our first meeting with half of them being completely new to the game.
Also I think if possible playing in more public areas can help spark interest.