hmmm

Well, I was totally stumped as to what to write about this week. Officially at a loss for words. All week Ive sat with this screen up trying to conjure up something creative from my right side... but nothing. That was until I decided I was bored enough to surf the net. All this talk of games made me want to play one. I went to a couple different sites and settled on online billiards. Sure, it's nothing compared to Dibbel's virtual life, but nonetheless, I became completely wound up in it. Before I knew it an hour had passed and I was still clicking away at this little green, virtual pool table. I was talking to few people online at the time... I had totally forgotten about it and they were starting to get mad at me for failing to respond. When I looked at the clock and realized just how much time I wasted I made myself drag my mouse up to the X and just like that, I was released from the powerful hold of online gaming.

After I was finished I got to thinking. I also got to my work. For the hour lost in the game, I spent another very productive hour getting alot of homework done. Homework that didn't even need to be done for another week. Even extra credit! I thank the game. Maybe that hour wasn't a waste of my time.

I think that what Pink was trying to get to with all his talk of play has finally sunk in. After allowing myself to think of nothing but the game in front of me, I felt more relaxed and more prepared to take on my work. There is certain release that games allow, and I think that is what people keep coming back for time and time again. It allows you to become completely engrossed. Letting the rest of the world fall away. I wasn't thinking about a paper I have due next week or a huge test I have yet to study for. However, I was thinking. My mind was engaged for that hour. I wasn't staring at the wall without a thought in my head. I was deciding which position would allow for the best shot and based on the that position and the distance from the target ball, just how long I would have to hold the mouse to apply the right amount of force to the cue ball to send the target into the hole, upping my point value.

A lot of people, adults mostly, see young kids playing games such as these. Lost in the Xboxes and playstations and they consider it a waste of time. They think these kids are mindlessly engaged in something completely unproductive. But, Pink was right. Gaming is productive. I know when I was finished I felt refreshed, a bit more creative, and with a new attitude I took on the work that needed to be done. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that play is essential for work! And I think I will engage in play a bit more often. I think simple gaming would be a great way to take study breaks. Instead of staring at the tv, maybe I will try playing a few games. It's amazing to think that a few minutes of "unfocused" thought could accomplish so much. It most certainly accomplished this post! Now that we are reading A Whole New Mind and I have just gone over Dibbel's discussion of play, I think we are going to see a big change in the way people are thinking. I was unaware of it until I started reading this books, however, these are ideas that will change the way we think, work, and play. It won't be long before they spread like wildfire, and who knows, maybe there will be a mandatory 'play' break in every office from here to California!