

#1771
Mentioned in 14 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 14 episodes
Recommended by 

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


Robert Greene

1,568 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

346 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
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when talking about the game-playing animal.

Daniel Mezick

61 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
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

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
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 ![undefined]()

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

Ellie Anderson

Fun
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in the context of play and creativity.

Kurt Nelson

Reclaim Your Brain and Escape Digital Chaos | Richard Cytowic
Mentioned by 

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


Matthew Crawford

Matthew Crawford on Why We Drive
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

to highlight the fundamental nature of play in human activity.

David Banks

Why immersion — and not realism — is critical for wargaming
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 

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
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as an author discussed in the book. The speakers also mention a previous episode about this book.

Cameron Kunzelman

24 – Laxton – Surrealism at Play
Mentioned when exploring how the play element in culture often serves as a stand-in for older rights of conflict.

The Meaning of War

Mark Wildschut

Ritueel en moderniteit: is er een terugweg? | #1980 André v/d Braak Gabriël v/d Brink Mark Wildschut
Mentioned as a major work by Johan Huizinga, exploring the role of play in culture.

"Kopen of afbetaling is als middeleeuwse horigheid" | #1973 Anton van der Lem
Erwähnt im Zusammenhang mit dem Konzept des Homo Ludens.

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