In social play, an animal again waits until safe and satisfied, and feels pleasure from a large variety of safe behavior within a distinct space and time. The difference is that now they explore behavior that interacts with other animals, seeking equilibria that adjust well to changes in other animals’ behavior. (
"I choose as my first book topic not the most... important topic,"
What are other topics which you think are more important on which you think you have a book's worth of material to contribute? For instance, the topic of prediction markets might fall into this category. Or do you see more important topics which you can't yet contribute a book's worth of information, but the only immediately visible obstacle towards acquiring an expertise is lack of interest?
I think I learned the first two years of physics stuff mostly by playing with lab equipment. Lab classes are supposed to help with that, but they struck me as too structured. I got a part-time job in the dept office. Once I had a key to the equipment rooms, that's when I played. The second two years were different, but I learned the most by stepping outside the structured labs. In grad school, I met people who did not learn this way, but their approach to physics mostly baffled me.
"In college when I learned that the second two years of physics covered the same material as the first two years, just with more math, I stopped doing homework and played with the equations instead, and aced the exams."
I was sort of like this - except for the "aced the exams part."
What tension? Of course most people can't spend most of their time in play mode, and so must settle and choose among their realistic options. Even so, play mode can be very productive, at least in some industries.
"I choose as my first book topic not the most... important topic,"
What are other topics which you think are more important on which you think you have a book's worth of material to contribute? For instance, the topic of prediction markets might fall into this category. Or do you see more important topics which you can't yet contribute a book's worth of information, but the only immediately visible obstacle towards acquiring an expertise is lack of interest?
I think I learned the first two years of physics stuff mostly by playing with lab equipment. Lab classes are supposed to help with that, but they struck me as too structured. I got a part-time job in the dept office. Once I had a key to the equipment rooms, that's when I played. The second two years were different, but I learned the most by stepping outside the structured labs. In grad school, I met people who did not learn this way, but their approach to physics mostly baffled me.
Thanks for this post, Robin.
"In college when I learned that the second two years of physics covered the same material as the first two years, just with more math, I stopped doing homework and played with the equations instead, and aced the exams."
I was sort of like this - except for the "aced the exams part."
What tension? Of course most people can't spend most of their time in play mode, and so must settle and choose among their realistic options. Even so, play mode can be very productive, at least in some industries.
Any thoughts on the apparent tension between this and your older post: 'Never Settle' Is A Brag?
for years spent each recess being chased around the school yard.
Disappointing. Stand your ground and fight back.
I think an Austrian might term the "playful motives" as trial and error entrepreneurship!
Feynman talked about playing with physics, too...