"The Game of Life" was explained (and I think developed) by John Gardner, who used to write the Mathematics column for "Scientific American"

It describes successive generations of simple 'life forms' living on a 2-D matrix. With each generation, members die, survive, or procreate based upon a system of rules involving the number of other members in proximity. Too complicated to explain here - if anyone needs to know you can find it on the web.

Gardner suggested it modeled some aspects of human society, e.g., overcrowding and loneliness. It spawned years of dialogue, follow-on articles, computer programs - really a fascinating exercise.

I'd be happy to talk more about it if anyone's interested.