#1617

Mentioned in 19 episodes

Homo ludens

Book • 1971

In 'Homo Ludens,' Johan Huizinga argues that play is a fundamental element of human culture, essential for the generation of culture.

He traces the contribution of play from ancient times through the Renaissance and into modern society, highlighting its role in law, science, philosophy, and the arts.

Huizinga defines play against a rich theoretical background, using cross-cultural examples to illustrate its universal significance and its civilizing functions.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 19 episodes

Recommended by

Robert Greene

as a seminal work on the history and psychology of play.

1,623 snips

#839 - Robert Greene - 12 Raw Truths About Gaining Power & Respect

Mentioned by

Reid Hoffman

in a discussion about the theory of "homo ludens" and its relevance to AI and game playing.

379 snips

Demis Hassabis on AI, game theory, multimodality, and the nature of creativity

Mentioned by

Stewart Brand

as a book about the importance of play in human culture.

110 snips

#281: Stewart Brand - The Polymath of Polymaths

Mentioned by

Daniel Mezick

when talking about the game-playing animal.

76 snips

EP 302 Daniel Mezick on Games and Governance

Mentioned by

Reid Hoffman

in the context of discussing human nature and game playing.

49 snips

Reid riffs on Tobi’s memo, AI and play, and the tweet that cost trillions

Mentioned by

Sheldon Solomon

when discussing different conceptions of human essence.

29 snips

#117 – Sheldon Solomon: Death and Meaning

Referenced by

Phil Ford

in relation to play, highlighting how animals engaged in play before humans.

27 snips

Episode 192 - A Dream of Landscape: On Walking

Recommended as an anthropological critique of humanity's relationship with games and sports.

26 snips

Socializing Sports: Reclaiming The Beautiful Game from Capital & Empire

Mentioned by

Matthew Crawford

as a source for his discussion on play.

18 snips

#619: What Driving Tells Us About Agency, Skill, and Freedom

Mentioned by Matthew Crawford in the context of play as the basis of civilization.

16 snips

Matthew B. Crawford on Practical Philosophy and Shop Class as Soulcraft | This is The Opinion To Care About

Mentioned by

Matthew Crawford

as a source of insight into risk-taking and competition.

14 snips

Matthew Crawford on Why We Drive

Mentioned by

Tim Beasley-Murray

as a book written in 1938 by the Dutch theorist of play, Johan Huizinga.

Tim Beasley-Murray, "Critical Games: On Play and Seriousness in Academia, Literature and Life" (Manchester UP, 2025)

Mentioned by

Ellie Anderson

as a work consulted in preparation for the episode, focusing on the play element in culture.

Fun

Mentioned by

Timothy Radcliffe

, referencing Hugo Rahner's comment on Carl Rahner's easier-to-understand work about playful humanity.

82. Synod Spirituality with Fr. Radcliffe: ‘Conversation on way to Emmaus’

Mentioned by Douglas Hedley in relation to the paradoxical relationship of play to seriousness central to Huizinga's discussion of Plato.

Wisdom in Paradox: The Seriousness of Play | Sophia Lectures 2023 Part 3/5

Mentioned by

Kurt Nelson

in the context of play and creativity.

Reclaim Your Brain and Escape Digital Chaos | Richard Cytowic

Genoemd door

Willeke Slingeland

, die het boek Homo Ludens noemt in de context van democratie als een 'serious game'.

Hoe zorgen we voor een democratie waarbij iedere Nederlander zich betrokken voelt?

Mentioned by

David Banks

to highlight the fundamental nature of play in human activity.

Why immersion — and not realism — is critical for wargaming

Mentioned by

Dr. Douglas Hedley

as a classic work and the starting point for discussing the spirit of play.

Exploring the Inner Word: Play, Poetry, Philosophy | Sophia Lectures 2023 Part 2/5

Mentioned by

Joe Brewer

in the context of discussing the human capacity for play and its role in cultural evolution.

Culture Design with Joe Brewer and Morag Gamble

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