#289
Mentioned in 61 episodes
Finite and infinite games
Book • 1986
In this book, James P. Carse distinguishes between finite and infinite games.
Finite games are instrumental activities with clear rules, boundaries, and winners, such as sports, politics, and wars.
Infinite games, on the other hand, are authentic interactions that aim to continue the play, changing rules and boundaries as needed.
Carse explores how these concepts apply to various aspects of life, including culture, religion, sexuality, and self-discovery.
He argues that finite games offer wealth, status, and power, while infinite games provide something more subtle and grander, such as true freedom and endless possibility.
The book offers insights into how approaching life as either a finite or infinite game affects one's choices, satisfaction, and success[2][4][5].
Finite games are instrumental activities with clear rules, boundaries, and winners, such as sports, politics, and wars.
Infinite games, on the other hand, are authentic interactions that aim to continue the play, changing rules and boundaries as needed.
Carse explores how these concepts apply to various aspects of life, including culture, religion, sexuality, and self-discovery.
He argues that finite games offer wealth, status, and power, while infinite games provide something more subtle and grander, such as true freedom and endless possibility.
The book offers insights into how approaching life as either a finite or infinite game affects one's choices, satisfaction, and success[2][4][5].
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 61 episodes
Recommended by 
Tobi Lütke and 
Lenny Rachitsky for its insights into different approaches to competition and life.
Tobi Lütke and Lenny Rachitsky for its insights into different approaches to competition and life.
1,601 snips
Tobi Lütke’s leadership playbook: Playing infinite games, operating from first principles, and maximizing human potential (founder and CEO of Shopify)
Mentioned by 
Unknown Speaker as one of their favorite books, explaining the core thesis of finite vs infinite games.
Unknown Speaker as one of their favorite books, explaining the core thesis of finite vs infinite games.
765 snips
How I’m Scaling My Business from 7 to 8 Figures
Mentioned by 
Nat Eliason and 
Ali Abdaal as a book that explores the concept of finite versus infinite games in life.
Nat Eliason and Ali Abdaal as a book that explores the concept of finite versus infinite games in life.702 snips
Chasing Success vs True Fulfilment - Nat Eliason
Mentioned by Lenny Rachitsky as a book espousing the idea of playing infinite games for greater happiness and fulfillment.
Lenny Rachitsky as a book espousing the idea of playing infinite games for greater happiness and fulfillment.
656 snips
Jason Fried challenges your thinking on fundraising, goals, growth, and more
Mentioned by 
Derek Thompson while discussing finite and infinite games in the context of cultural trends.
Derek Thompson while discussing finite and infinite games in the context of cultural trends.
270 snips
Derek Thompson: From Acting to the Eminem of Macroeconomic Analysis
Recommended by Patrick Collison and Toby.
265 snips
Peter Fenton & Victor Lazarte - Purpose and Partnership - [Invest Like the Best, EP.354]
Mentioned by 
Bryan Johnson in the discussion about the meaning of life and different types of games.
Bryan Johnson in the discussion about the meaning of life and different types of games.
134 snips
#186 – Bryan Johnson: Kernel Brain-Computer Interfaces
