Comments on: A Good Play Ethic http://blogsinmind.com/lib/2009/11/18/a-good-play-ethic/ Archived Posts from the CR Health Net blog 'Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life'. Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:36:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: Evan Hadkins http://blogsinmind.com/lib/2009/11/18/a-good-play-ethic/#comment-593 Evan Hadkins Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:52:19 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=1948#comment-593 Hi Christine, thanks for you comment. Your distinction between play and playfulness has got me thinking. Play is often said to be 'purposeless' ie. it isn't about changing the world to a more desirable state or to achieve something by doing the activity. (We don't play football or cards for any other reason than enjoying football or cards.) In this sense play is purposeless enjoyment. But as you point out purposeful activity can be done with a lightness and enjoyment. I think you've made an important distinction that I need to think more about. Thanks for your comment. Hi Christine, thanks for you comment. Your distinction between play and playfulness has got me thinking. Play is often said to be ‘purposeless’ ie. it isn’t about changing the world to a more desirable state or to achieve something by doing the activity. (We don’t play football or cards for any other reason than enjoying football or cards.) In this sense play is purposeless enjoyment.

But as you point out purposeful activity can be done with a lightness and enjoyment.

I think you’ve made an important distinction that I need to think more about. Thanks for your comment.

]]> By: Christine http://blogsinmind.com/lib/2009/11/18/a-good-play-ethic/#comment-592 Christine Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:15:44 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=1948#comment-592 I was wondering, at the end of reading this, what the difference is (in the context of this discussion) between (a) "play" (or a playful approach, or a way of incorporating a spirit of "play" to ones work) and (b) "enjoying the task". Then I read the first sentence in Evelyn's comment, above, which seems to echo my thoughts about work not feeling like drudgery when you *enjoy* it, and that 'enjoyment of a task' seems to provide energy (and maybe motivation/'drive') that otherwise wouldn't be there. There are types of tasks I enjoy so much that I get so absorbed in them that I lose sense of time and feel driven to keep at it until it's completed, and as someone who is almost always tired (more than most people seem to be) I enjoy the fact that while doing such tasks I notice that I feel more energetic (for that task) than I normally do (for others tasks or even if not doing anything). But I wouldn't say that I feel 'playful' whilst doing those tasks that I enjoy - well, not all of the types of tasks that energise me and which I enjoy (there are about 4, I think); singing with others is one task I enjoy and find energising and it does indeed seem to bring out a playfulness in me that I have sometimes found curious (sometimes I notice it, as if observing myself spontaneously for a moment, and think "this is like a different personality from what I normally think of as my personality; it's almost as if I have more than one, but maybe this is just something that brings out that part of me"). But other tasks I enjoy and find energising don't feel like "play" to me in this way. So I'm wondering if it's fair to say that it's "the *enjoying* of a task" that gives us the energy and lightness to put into a task, rather than playfulness as such, although I'm not sure if you (Evan) mean "playfulness" when you say "play" or whether maybe what you mean by "play" is the same as what I mean by "enjoyment of task". I feel the same way as you seem to (in terms of objection/loathing) about job ads (and the general attitude implied/reflected) saying that they seek applicants with a good work ethic. It was very satisfying to read your thoughts on the subject! : ) I was wondering, at the end of reading this, what the difference is (in the context of this discussion) between (a) “play” (or a playful approach, or a way of incorporating a spirit of “play” to ones work) and (b) “enjoying the task”. Then I read the first sentence in Evelyn’s comment, above, which seems to echo my thoughts about work not feeling like drudgery when you *enjoy* it, and that ‘enjoyment of a task’ seems to provide energy (and maybe motivation/’drive’) that otherwise wouldn’t be there. There are types of tasks I enjoy so much that I get so absorbed in them that I lose sense of time and feel driven to keep at it until it’s completed, and as someone who is almost always tired (more than most people seem to be) I enjoy the fact that while doing such tasks I notice that I feel more energetic (for that task) than I normally do (for others tasks or even if not doing anything). But I wouldn’t say that I feel ‘playful’ whilst doing those tasks that I enjoy – well, not all of the types of tasks that energise me and which I enjoy (there are about 4, I think); singing with others is one task I enjoy and find energising and it does indeed seem to bring out a playfulness in me that I have sometimes found curious (sometimes I notice it, as if observing myself spontaneously for a moment, and think “this is like a different personality from what I normally think of as my personality; it’s almost as if I have more than one, but maybe this is just something that brings out that part of me”). But other tasks I enjoy and find energising don’t feel like “play” to me in this way.

So I’m wondering if it’s fair to say that it’s “the *enjoying* of a task” that gives us the energy and lightness to put into a task, rather than playfulness as such, although I’m not sure if you (Evan) mean “playfulness” when you say “play” or whether maybe what you mean by “play” is the same as what I mean by “enjoyment of task”.

I feel the same way as you seem to (in terms of objection/loathing) about job ads (and the general attitude implied/reflected) saying that they seek applicants with a good work ethic. It was very satisfying to read your thoughts on the subject! : )

]]> By: Evan Hadkins http://blogsinmind.com/lib/2009/11/18/a-good-play-ethic/#comment-591 Evan Hadkins Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:47:46 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=1948#comment-591 Hi Evelyn, like you I don't want my days spent in drudgery. Btw I like your blog too. Thanks for your comment. Hi Evelyn, like you I don’t want my days spent in drudgery. Btw I like your blog too. Thanks for your comment.

]]> By: Evelyn Lim http://blogsinmind.com/lib/2009/11/18/a-good-play-ethic/#comment-590 Evelyn Lim Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:24:14 +0000 http://counsellingresource.com/features/?p=1948#comment-590 A job does not seem like hard work if it is what we love to do! Thumbs up to what you've said: "Play has a lightheartedness that the work ethic lacks". Most certainly, I look forward to bringing the elements of play, creative imagination and lightheartedness to my daily chores. I am convinced that my days are not to be spent on feeling a sense of drudgery. A job does not seem like hard work if it is what we love to do! Thumbs up to what you’ve said: “Play has a lightheartedness that the work ethic lacks”. Most certainly, I look forward to bringing the elements of play, creative imagination and lightheartedness to my daily chores. I am convinced that my days are not to be spent on feeling a sense of drudgery.

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