Play Matters

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Popular Culture, Entertainment, Games
Cover of the book Play Matters by Miguel Sicart, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Miguel Sicart ISBN: 9780262325967
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: Miguel Sicart
ISBN: 9780262325967
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

Why play is a productive, expressive way of being, a form of understanding, and a fundamental part of our well-being.

What do we think about when we think about play? A pastime? Games? Childish activities? The opposite of work? Think again: If we are happy and well rested, we may approach even our daily tasks in a playful way, taking the attitude of play without the activity of play. So what, then, is play? In Play Matters, Miguel Sicart argues that to play is to be in the world; playing is a form of understanding what surrounds us and a way of engaging with others. Play goes beyond games; it is a mode of being human.

We play games, but we also play with toys, on playgrounds, with technologies and design. Sicart proposes a theory of play that doesn't derive from a particular object or activity but is a portable tool for being—not tied to objects but brought by people to the complex interactions that form their daily lives. It is not separated from reality; it is part of it. It is pleasurable, but not necessarily fun. Play can be dangerous, addictive, and destructive.

Along the way, Sicart considers playfulness, the capacity to use play outside the context of play; toys, the materialization of play—instruments but also play pals; playgrounds, play spaces that enable all kinds of play; beauty, the aesthetics of play through action; political play—from Maradona's goal against England in the 1986 World Cup to the hactivist activities of Anonymous; the political, aesthetic, and moral activity of game design; and why play and computers get along so well.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Why play is a productive, expressive way of being, a form of understanding, and a fundamental part of our well-being.

What do we think about when we think about play? A pastime? Games? Childish activities? The opposite of work? Think again: If we are happy and well rested, we may approach even our daily tasks in a playful way, taking the attitude of play without the activity of play. So what, then, is play? In Play Matters, Miguel Sicart argues that to play is to be in the world; playing is a form of understanding what surrounds us and a way of engaging with others. Play goes beyond games; it is a mode of being human.

We play games, but we also play with toys, on playgrounds, with technologies and design. Sicart proposes a theory of play that doesn't derive from a particular object or activity but is a portable tool for being—not tied to objects but brought by people to the complex interactions that form their daily lives. It is not separated from reality; it is part of it. It is pleasurable, but not necessarily fun. Play can be dangerous, addictive, and destructive.

Along the way, Sicart considers playfulness, the capacity to use play outside the context of play; toys, the materialization of play—instruments but also play pals; playgrounds, play spaces that enable all kinds of play; beauty, the aesthetics of play through action; political play—from Maradona's goal against England in the 1986 World Cup to the hactivist activities of Anonymous; the political, aesthetic, and moral activity of game design; and why play and computers get along so well.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book Digital Research Confidential by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Obfuscation by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book The War on Learning by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Aesthetics of Interaction in Digital Art by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Elements of Causal Inference by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Foundations of Global Financial Markets and Institutions by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book The Machine Question by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Why Humans Matter More Than Ever by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Fred Forest's Utopia by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book The Qualified Self by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Knowledge Management in Theory and Practice by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Why Are We Waiting? by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book IBM by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Concepts, Syntax, and their Interface by Miguel Sicart
Cover of the book Acting with Technology by Miguel Sicart
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy