Homo Ludens (Book)
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Homo Ludens, or "Man the Player," was a book written in 1938 by Dutch historian, cultural theorist and professor Johan Huizinga. It discusses the importance of the play element of culture and society. Huizinga makes it clear in the forward of his book that he means play element "of" culture and not play element "in" culture. However, the uncredited English translator of the Beacon Books version modified the subtitle of the book to contradict Huizinga's stated intention. The version in print and widely available in English is a translation and synthesis of the German as well as the first English version, because "a comparison of the two texts shows a number of discrepancies and a marked difference in style" (Translators Note, unnumbered page). Huizinga uses the term "Play Theory" within the book to define the conceptual space in which play occurs. Huizinga suggests that play is primary to and necessary (though not sufficient) condition of the generation of culture.
In 2007, the idea of the 'playing human' was reintroduced by two other Dutchmen, Roland and Rogier van Kralingen (father & son) in their book De Groeimotor (The Growth Engine). The book covers an educating history of innovation op to 2007 and concludes that the ideal of the Homo Ludens is finally reached. They base their assumption on the phenomenon of 'group-think' (studied by Elliot Aronson) that is so important in the social behavior of children and that sparks innovations like Wikipedia. They also refer to Daniel Goleman, the man that made the ideal of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) tangible.
The elements of a playing human are so much more evident in 2007 than they were ever before in history, that the two writers claim it is a notion that cannot be ignored anymore. Although the idea of a Homo Ludens may be old, the possibilities of sharing information, the way the global economy is build and the way we communicate through internet has given rise to a human that almost constantly plays, learns and shares experiences in games, video and basically any other kind of information. The Homo Ludens they state, is in many ways the river that flows through the notion of twenty first century society.
The downside they say, is that many 'grown-up' values (for instance respect, patience, prudence) are undermined by the values that are important to children (like freedom, imagination and transformation). If too many grown ups adopt the 'play' values over the 'non-play' values, a chaotic society ensues. The writers leave us with a question they only partly answer: Is the massive emergence of the Homo Ludens a good thing?
They claim that in the long-term it will be good, mostly because the 'play' values spark so many fresh ideas and innovations on how to make the world a better place. But it the short-term, it causes friction in society. Nevertheless, the Homo Ludens has emerged in massive numbers and has become a force to watch closely.
[edit] Quotes
- "Let my playing be my learning, and my learning be my playing."
- "It is ancient wisdom, but it is also a little cheap, to call all human activity 'play'. Those who are willing to content themselves with a metaphysical conclusion of this kind should not read this book." (from the Forward, unnumbered page)
[edit] Reference
- Huizinga, Johan. Homo Ludens. Beacon Press (June 1, 1971). ISBN-10: 0807046817
- Kralingen, Roland & Rogier van. De Groeimotor. Pearson Education (March 21, 2007). ISBN 9789043013598
