“When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” C. S Lewis
When we become professionals in a modern world of specialization, we set aside many of the things that made us happy as children: play, drawing, storytelling. But is this the right decision? Paintings by Bruegel show adults playing games in the street. Behavioral evolutionists have discovered storytelling is a survival trait. Most great thinkers draw, from Einstein and theoretical mathematicians to composers and choreographers like Merce Cunningham. When we set aside these fundamental human activities, are we really being grownups? Or are we crippling our ability to excel in exchange for the semblance of adulthood?
22. Grace (62/ female/ widowed/ Little Rock, AR.)
“I like playing my favorite games online, but if I can play with
friends, well that’s even better!”
Personal Background: Her husband has passed on. She has
two grown kids, both of whom live far away. She misses the
kids, but has a fairly large circle of friends that she spends time
with.
Technical Proficiency: Limited. Can use her browser and her
email. MS Word confuses her, and she doesn’t like using it.
Doesn’t know what an OS is. Tends to click yes if the browser
prompts her to do anything, and will click wildly until things work.
History with games: Plays crossword puzzles daily and saves
them. Plays card games, PhotoJam, but is offended by South
Park cartoons
Game’s opportunity: If Grace can be convinced to participate
in community activities, she will become a loyal user of the site.
She needs to be sheltered from the sick and twisted content,
however.2001
43. • Exist hot it’s oyn scme
• Played voluntarily
• Play is special and set
apart (magic circle)
• Play is fun
• Player play by rules
(which can be fluid)
The Elements of Play: Toward a
Philosophy and a Definition of Play
Scott G. Eberle
44. tryine to twistnlay to
a n en d titia tesit,
ma iine it seem less a n d
lessliie nlay’
--Scott Eb erle, Mssesm
ofPlay