Simon Says…

Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch’s name is derived from the monkey dolls, Monchhichis. After receiving a bad haircut, which left Monch looking like a “chimpanzee”, girls in Monch’s class at the High School of Art and Design began calling him “Monchhichi”, which was later shortened to “Monch”. Monch adopted the “Pharoahe” prefix after meeting future Organized Konfusion partner Prince Po.

Simon Says
Simon says is a game for three or more players (most often children). One of the people is “it” – i.e., Simon. The others must do what Simon tells them to do when asked with a phrase beginning with “Simon says”. If Simon says “Simon says jump”, the players must jump (players that do not jump are out). However, if Simon says simply “jump”, without first saying “Simon says”, players do not jump; those that do jump are out. In general, it is the spirit of the command, not the actions that matters; if Simon says “Simon says touch your toes”, players only have to show that they are trying to touch their toes. It is the ability to distinguish between valid and invalid commands, rather than physical ability, that matters here.

It is Simon’s task to try to get everyone out as quickly as possible, and it is every one else’s job to stay “in” for as long as possible. The last of Simon’s followers to stay in wins (although the game is not always played all the way through).

It is considered cheating to give impossible commands (“Simon says ‘lift your left leg’. Simon says ‘lift your right leg’. Simon did not say ‘put your left leg down’!”) or phrase the commands in such a way that the other player has no option but to ‘go out’ (“Simon says ‘jump up’. Come down.”). However, at least in some versions, it is allowed for Simon to eliminate players by asking them to do something seemingly unrelated to the game (example: “Anyone remaining join me up here.”)

A recent psychological study found that the game can be a healthy way to help children to improve self-control and restraint of impulsive behavior.