We are not Homo Sapiens...we are Homo Ludens

Humans call themselves Homo Sapiens, but Dutch historian Huizinga says Homo Ludens is a far better name. Ludens is ancient Latin, and it's connected with "Ludo," which translates "to play." At the core of our art, law, language, and civilization lies the instinct to play. Dig in:

Play is embedded in the animal kingdom: "They invite one another to play by a certain ceremoniousness of attitude. They keep to the rule that you shall not bite hard your brother's ear. And—what is most important—in all these doings they plainly experience tremendous fun."

If play is so universal, then what are its universal uses? Huzinga has a list: "An exercise in restraint needful to the individual, a discharge of superabundant vital energy, innate urge to exercise a certain faculty, or in the desire to dominate or compete."

Language is a human universal - all cultures and all distant tribes have some form of it. Huzinga writes that language is nothing but humans playing with sound, meaning, and the relationship in-between. Expression depends on metaphors, and "metaphor is a play upon words."

Huzinga defines play: A voluntary activity executed within certain fixed limits, according to rules freely accepted but absolutely binding, having its aim in itself and accompanied by a feeling of tension, joy, the consciousness that it is "different" from "ordinary life."

Advanced civilizations are "smothered under a rank layer of ideas, systems of thought and knowledge, doctrines, rules and regulations, moralities and conventions which have all lost touch with play." To lose touch with play is to become less inventive, less happy, less adaptable.

Of a great guitarist we say: he can play really well. Huzinga on the relationship between music and play: "Music (is) play: the activity begins and ends within strict limits of time and place, is repeatable, consists essentially in order, rhythm, alternation..."

In mature societies, law comes down to a rhetorical game between two lawyers (wearing a specific uniform). In archaic societies, the link between law and play is even clearer - Eskimos literally organize drumming contests to settle legal disputes.

Japanese prince Kenshin was at war with prince Shingen. A 3rd party, wishing to curry favors with Kenshin, cut off Shingen's salt supply. Kenshin commanded his general to send Shingen salt, and told the 3rd party with contempt: "I fight not with salt but with the sword!"

More important than winning is the spirit of play.

-fin

Read a connected memo:

https://memod.com/jashdholani/nietzsche-s-story-of-creativity-4298

Nietzsche's story of creativity Introduction. Nietzsche was a brilliant social critic, but his work on individua