Enjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Why Do Humans Play? Exploring the Functions, Benefits, and Meanings of (Dark) Play” by Jaakko Stenros.
Moderated by Josephine Baird.
Description: Play is older than culture, language, or even humanity; it is rooted in our biology as mammals. As play wastes energy and puts the player in danger, it must have a pretty important evolutionary benefit to have survived natural selection. On this lecture we look at the foundation of play, and its role in creativity, transformation, social change, and evolution. In order to get a full picture of play, we will explore not only the positive and celebrated aspects of it, but also dangerous, disgusting, and illegal dark play.
Link to Selected Bibliography: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kmtr…
Presenter bio: Jaakko Stenros (PhD) is a University Lecturer in Game Studies at Tampere University. He has published nine books and over 50 articles and reports and has taught game studies for a decade. Stenros studies play and games; his research interests include norm-defying play, game jams, queer play, role-playing games, pervasive games, game rules, and playfulness. Stenros has also collaborated with artists and designers to create ludic experiences and he has curated exhibitions at the Finnish Museum of Games.