Are We Having Fun Yet?

[Guest guest]

I posted stuff from this book several times over the last few years,

lost it all when my computer crashed. Another one of those books that

fell into my hands when I'd go to the bookstore in search of 'stuff'.

From another group, reminding me of something that caused me a great

smiles yesterday.

 

I like playing the caped crusader against the archenemy. Hahahahaha.

Trouble is the ones that are playing war and hate don't know they

don't have to play that.

 

" Homie don't play that. " Homer Simpson

 

 

Finite and Infinite Games

 

There are at least two kinds of games: finite and infinite.

A finite game is a game that has fixed rules and boundaries, that is

played for the purpose of winning and thereby ending the game.

 

An infinite game has no fixed rules or boundaries. In an infinite

game you play with the boundaries and the purpose is to continue the

game.

 

Finite players are serious; infinite games are playful.

 

Finite players try to control the game, predict everything that will

happen, and set the outcome in advance. They are serious and

determined about getting that outcome. They try to fix the future

based on the past.

 

Infinite players enjoy being surprised. Continuously running into

something one didn't know will ensure that the game will go on. The

meaning of the past changes depending on what happens in the future.

 

All games are inherently voluntary. There might be consequences of

not playing, but there is always a choice required. Driving in the

right side of the road, shaking people's hands, and paying taxes are

games one has a choice about playing. There are certain rules and

boundaries that appear to be externally defined, and you choose to

follow them or not. If you stop following them you aren't playing the

game any longer.

 

There is no rule that says you have to follow the rules.

 

All finite games have rules. If you follow the rules you are playing

the game. If you don't follow the rules you aren't playing. If you

move the pieces in different ways in chess, you are no longer playing

chess.

 

Infinite players play with rules and boundaries. They include them as

part of their playing. They aren't taking them serious, and they can

never be trapped by them, because they use rules and boundaries to

play with.

 

In a theatrical play the actor knows that she really isn't Ophelia.

The audience knows that she really isn't Ophelia. But if she does a

good job, Ophelia can express herself through the actor. The playing

is most enjoyable when it is both clear that it is chosen play, that

it is the actor doing it voluntarily, and at the same time it is so

convincing, following the rules well enough that it seems real.

 

You can play finite games within an infinite game. You can not play

infinite games within a finite game.

 

You can do what you do seriously, because you must do it, because you

must survive to the end, and you are afraid of dying and other

consequences. Or, you can do everything you do playfully, always

knowing you have a choice, having no need to survive the way you are,

allowing every element of the play to transform you, taking pleasure

in every surprise you meet. Those are the differences between finite

and infinite players.

 

These ideas are paraphrased from the delightful book:

 

" Finite and Infinite Games - A Vision of Life as Play and

Possibility " by James P. Carse

 

ISBN 0-345-34184-8, Ballantine, $4.95

 

Notes by Flemming Funch, World Transformation

 

http://www.worldtrans.org/pos/infinitegames.html

 

 

 

Anna note: This is one " Little Book " that should be in everyone's

hands. Fits quite well.