

#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.
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 

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


Robert Greene

1,623 snips
#839 - Robert Greene - 12 Raw Truths About Gaining Power & Respect
Mentioned by 

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


Reid Hoffman

379 snips
Demis Hassabis on AI, game theory, multimodality, and the nature of creativity
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as a book about the importance of play in human culture.

Stewart Brand

110 snips
#281: Stewart Brand - The Polymath of Polymaths
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when talking about the game-playing animal.

Daniel Mezick
76 snips
EP 302 Daniel Mezick on Games and Governance
Mentioned by 

in the context of discussing human nature and game playing.


Reid Hoffman

49 snips
Reid riffs on Tobi’s memo, AI and play, and the tweet that cost trillions
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when discussing different conceptions of human essence.

Sheldon Solomon

29 snips
#117 – Sheldon Solomon: Death and Meaning
Referenced by 

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


Phil Ford

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 

as a source for his discussion on play.


Matthew Crawford

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 

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


Matthew Crawford

14 snips
Matthew Crawford on Why We Drive
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as a book written in 1938 by the Dutch theorist of play, Johan Huizinga.

Tim Beasley-Murray

Tim Beasley-Murray, "Critical Games: On Play and Seriousness in Academia, Literature and Life" (Manchester UP, 2025)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

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

Ellie Anderson

Fun
Mentioned by 

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


Timothy Radcliffe
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
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in the context of play and creativity.

Kurt Nelson

Reclaim Your Brain and Escape Digital Chaos | Richard Cytowic
Genoemd door ![undefined]()

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

Willeke Slingeland

Hoe zorgen we voor een democratie waarbij iedere Nederlander zich betrokken voelt?
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

to highlight the fundamental nature of play in human activity.

David Banks

Why immersion — and not realism — is critical for wargaming
Mentioned by 

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


Dr. Douglas Hedley

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

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


Joe Brewer

Culture Design with Joe Brewer and Morag Gamble



