Play Anything : The Pleasure of Limits, the Uses of Boredom, and the Secret of Games

بسیاری از ما گمان می‌کنیم که بازی کردن راهی برای گریز از قوانین و محدودیت‌های زندگی روزمره است، اما کتاب «Play Anything» این تصور را به چالش می‌کشد. ایان بوگاست، طراح بازی و فیلسوف، در این اثر نشان می‌دهد که رمز لذت بردن از زندگی نه در فرار از محدودیت‌ها، بلکه در پذیرفتن و کشف امکان‌های نهفته در دل آن‌هاست.

دربارهٔ کتاب Play Anything

کتاب «Play Anything: The Pleasure of Limits, the Uses of Boredom, and the Secret of Games» در سال ۲۰۱۶ توسط انتشارات بیسیک بوکس (Basic Books) منتشر شده است. ایان بوگاست در این کتاب با زبانی فلسفی و در عین حال گیرا، این ایدهٔ رایج را نقد می‌کند که بازی‌ها صرفاً به خاطر سرگرم‌بودن جذاب‌اند. او با مثال‌زدن از بازی‌هایی چون فوتبال و تتریس (Tetris) استدلال می‌کند که جذابیت یک بازی در محدودیت‌هایی است که برای بازیکن ایجاد می‌کند. بدون وجود این قوانین سخت‌گیرانه، یک بازی هیچ هویت و معنایی نخواهد داشت. ایدهٔ محوری بوگاست این است که می‌توان همین نگرش را به زندگی روزمره تعمیم داد. او با رد مفهوم رایج «تفریح» که اغلب با لذتی بی‌دردسر اشتباه گرفته می‌شود، بیان می‌دارد که «لذت» (Fun) محصول جانبی توجه و تمرکز ما بر روی یک فعالیت محدودشده است. به‌زعم او، کارهای به‌ظاهر کسالت‌باری مانند خرید از سوپرمارکت، چمن‌زدن، یا حتی تهیهٔ یک ارائهٔ پاورپوینت، اگر با دقت و قصد قبلی به آن‌ها نگاه کنیم، می‌توانند به بستری برای «بازی» تبدیل شوند. فضای کتاب ترکیبی از خاطرات شخصی نویسنده، مثال‌های ملموس از فرهنگ عامه و ارجاعاتی به فلسفهٔ غرب است که آن را به اثری منحصربه‌فرد تبدیل کرده است.

دربارهٔ نویسنده

ایان بوگاست (Ian Bogost) نویسندهٔ این کتاب، چهره‌ای برجسته و چندوجهی در حوزهٔ مطالعات رسانه و طراحی بازی است. او استاد برجستهٔ کالج ایوان آلن (Ivan Allen College) در رشتهٔ مطالعات رسانه و استاد علوم کامپیوتر تعاملی در مؤسسهٔ فناوری جورجیا (Georgia Institute of Technology) است. بوگاست علاوه بر نویسندگی و تدریس، شریک مؤسس شرکت «پرسیوزیو گیمز» (Persuasive Games) است که به طراحی بازی‌هایی با مضامین اجتماعی و سیاسی می‌پردازد و همچنین سردبیر وابستهٔ مجلهٔ معتبر «آتلانتیک» (The Atlantic) محسوب می‌شود. از میان بازی‌های شناخته‌شدهٔ او می‌توان به «کاو کلیکر» (Cow Clicker) اشاره کرد که نقدی هوشمندانه بر بازی‌های شبکه‌های اجتماعی بود. بوگاست فارغ‌التحصیل مقطع دکتری در رشتهٔ ادبیات تطبیقی از دانشگاه کالیفرنیا، لس‌آنجلس (UCLA) است.

چرا باید Play Anything را بخوانید؟

• درک عمیق از مفهوم بازی و سرگرمی: با دیدگاهی کاملاً جدید و فلسفی آشنا می‌شوید که در آن، «بازی» به‌عنوان پذیرش محدودیت‌ها تعریف می‌شود، نه فرار از آن‌ها.
• غلبه بر کسالت و اضطراب روزمره: یاد می‌گیرید چگونه کارهای تکراری و خسته‌کنندهٔ روزانه را با تغییر نگرش، به فرصتی برای تمرکز و خلاقیت تبدیل کنید.
• مقابله با طنز تلخ یا «آیرونیا» (Ironoia): بوگاست مفهوم «آیرونیا» را به‌عنوان بی‌اعتمادی مزمن به چیزها و دوری‌گزینی از آنها معرفی می‌کند و راه‌هایی برای غلبه بر این حسِ سرخوردگی پیشنهاد می‌دهد.
• ارتباط با فلسفه و فرهنگ معاصر: کتاب با ارجاع به فیلسوفانی چون ویتگنشتاین و مفاهیمی از فرهنگ اینترنت تا شعر کهن، ذهن شما را به چالش می‌کشد و افق دیدتان را گسترش می‌دهد.
• کسب نگرشی نو به زندگی: بوگاست نشان می‌دهد که چگونه می‌توان با «بازی کردنِ» هر چیزی، عشق و ارادتی تازه به جهان پیرامون پیدا کرد و از قید ترس‌ها و خواسته‌های بی‌پایان رها شد.

این کتاب برای چه کسانی مناسب است؟

این کتاب برای طیف وسیعی از خوانندگان جذاب خواهد بود؛ از علاقه‌مندان به فلسفه و روانشناسی مثبت‌گرا گرفته تا طراحان بازی، برنامه‌نویسان و هر کسی که به دنبال معنایی عمیق‌تر در زندگی روزمره است. همچنین برای افرادی که از یکنواختی و فشارهای روزانه خسته شده‌اند و به دنبال راهی برای یافتن شادی و خلاقیت در دل محدودیت‌ها هستند، یک راهنمای کاربردی و روشنگر محسوب می‌شود.

سوالات متداول

آیا کتاب Play Anything صرفاً دربارهٔ بازی‌های ویدیویی است؟

خیر، هرچند نویسنده یک طراح بازی ویدیویی است، اما این کتاب بسیار فراتر از دنیای بازی‌های دیجیتال است و به بررسی مفهوم «بازی» در تمام ابعاد زندگی از جمله کار، خرید و حتی چمن‌زدن می‌پردازد.

آیا این کتاب یک کتاب خودیاری (Self-help) معمولی است؟

اگرچه کتاب راهکارهایی برای بهبود زندگی ارائه می‌دهد، اما رویکردی عمیقاً فلسفی و انتقادی دارد. بوگاست به‌جای ارائهٔ تکنیک‌های سریع، به مخاطب کمک می‌کند تا نگرش خود را نسبت به جهان تغییر دهد و این کتاب را به اثری فراتر از یک کتاب معمولی خودیاری تبدیل می‌کند.

چرا نویسنده معتقد است که محدودیت‌ها باعث لذت می‌شوند؟

به‌زعم بوگاست، بدون محدودیت، هر فعالیتی بی‌هدف و بی‌معنا خواهد بود. قوانین بازی فوتبال یا شکل قطعات تتریس، کار را دشوار می‌کنند، اما درست همین دشواری است که ما را مجبور به تمرکز و خلاقیت کرده و در نهایت، لذت واقعی را برایمان به ارمغان می‌آورد.

**“__Play Anything__ is nothing short of brilliant... I will be recommending this provocative and entertaining book to everyone I know.” --Jane McGonigal, bestselling author of __Reality is Broken__ and __SuperBetter__**Life is boring: filled with meetings and traffic, errands and emails. Nothing we'd ever call __fun__. But what if we've gotten fun wrong? In __Play Anything,__ visionary game designer and philosopher Ian Bogost shows how we can overcome our daily anxiety; transforming the boring, ordinary world around us into one of endless, playful possibilities.The key to this playful mindset lies in discovering the secret truth of fun and games. __Play Anything,__ reveals that games appeal to us not because they are fun, but because they set __limitations__. Soccer wouldn't be soccer if it wasn't composed of two teams of eleven players using only their feet, heads, and torsos to get a ball into a goal; Tetris wouldn't be Tetris without falling pieces in characteristic shapes. Such rules seem needless, arbitrary, and difficult. Yet it is the limitations that make games enjoyable, just like it's the hard things in life that give it meaning.Play is what happens when we __accept__ these limitations, narrow our focus, and, consequently, have fun. Which is also how to live a good life. Manipulating a soccer ball into a goal is no different than treating ordinary circumstances— like grocery shopping, lawn mowing, and making PowerPoints—as sources for meaning and joy. We can “play anything” by filling our days with attention and discipline, devotion and love for the world as it really is, beyond our desires and fears.Ranging from Internet culture to moral philosophy, ancient poetry to modern consumerism, Bogost shows us how today's chaotic world can only be tamed—and enjoyed—when we first impose boundaries on ourselves.**"An essential read for those seeking to understand how a new idea of play can be positive for our lives."--__Library Journal__ (STARRED review)****“__Play Anything__ is a profound book: both a striking assessment of our current cultural landscape, and at the same time a smart self-improvement guide, teaching us the virtues of a life lived playfully.” --Steven Johnson, author of __How We Got To Now__ and __Everything Bad Is Good For You__** Life Is Boring: Filled With Meetings And Traffic, Errands And Emails. Nothing We'd Ever Call Fun. But What If We've Gotten Fun Wrong? In Play Anything, Visionary Game Designer And Philosopher Ian Bogost Shows How We Can Overcome Our Daily Anxiety; Transforming The Boring, Ordinary World Around Us Into One Of Endless, Playful Possibilities. The Key To This Playful Mindset Lies In Discovering The Secret Truth Of Fun And Games. Play Anything, Reveals That Games Appeal To Us Not Because They Are Fun, But Because They Set Limitations. Soccer Wouldn't Be Soccer If It Wasn't Composed Of Two Teams Of Eleven Players Using Only Their Feet, Heads, And Torsos To Get A Ball Into A Goal; Tetris Wouldn't Be Tetris Without Falling Pieces In Characteristic Shapes. Such Rules Seem Needless, Arbitrary, And Difficult. Yet It Is The Limitations That Make Games Enjoyable, Just Like It's The Hard Things In Life That Give It Meaning. Play Is What Happens When We Accept These Limitations, Narrow Our Focus, And, Consequently, Have Fun. Which Is Also How To Live A Good Life. Manipulating A Soccer Ball Into A Goal Is No Different Than Treating Ordinary Circumstances- Like Grocery Shopping, Lawn Mowing, And Making Powerpoints-as Sources For Meaning And Joy. We Can Play Anything By Filling Our Days With Attention And Discipline, Devotion And Love For The World As It Really Is, Beyond Our Desires And Fears. Ranging From Internet Culture To Moral Philosophy, Ancient Poetry To Modern Consumerism, Bogost Shows Us How Today's Chaotic World Can Only Be Tamed-and Enjoyed-when We First Impose Boundaries On Ourselves-- The Gold Standard Of Our Culture Is 'fun.' Companies Want Their Offices To Feel More Playful, Schools Want Learning To Be Entertaining, Programmers Want Their Products To Feel As Intuitive And Addictive As Playing Tetris Or Angrybirds. Trying To Make Life Like Playing A Game Sounds Like A Good Idea--who Doesn't Want To Have Fun While Working Or Commuting, Parenting Or Cleaning?--but What's Often Overlooked In The Rush To Make Everything 'fun' Is That Games Are Hard. Playing A Sport Requires Concentration, Repetition, And Physical Pain; Playing A Musical Instrument Demands Shockingly Boring Practice And Patience; Even Playing Video Games Requires Hours And Hours Of Study, Determination, And Drive. Making Our Ideas About 'play' Sound A Whole Lot Like 'work.' Where's The Fun In That? In Play Anything, Ian Bogost--the Ivan Allen College Distinguished Chair In Media Studies And Professor Of Interactive Computing At The Georgia Institute Of Technology--shows That Our Common Understanding Of Games--that They Are Always Fun, And Always Juvenile--is Dead Wrong. And That That's A Good Thing, Both For How We Play And How We Conduct Our Days-- Life Is Not A Game -- Everywhere, Playgrounds -- Ironoia, The Mistrust Of Things -- Fun Isn't Pleasure, It's Novelty -- Play Is In Things, Not In You -- From Restraint To Constraint -- The Pleasure Of Limits -- The Opposite Of Happiness -- Living With Things. Ian Bogost. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 239-250) Index. “ Play Anything is nothing short of brilliant... I will be recommending this provocative and entertaining book to everyone I know.” --Jane McGonigal, bestselling author of Reality is Broken and SuperBetter Life is boring: filled with meetings and traffic, errands and emails. Nothing we'd ever call fun . But what if we've gotten fun wrong? In Play Anything, visionary game designer and philosopher Ian Bogost shows how we can overcome our daily anxiety; transforming the boring, ordinary world around us into one of endless, playful possibilities. The key to this playful mindset lies in discovering the secret truth of fun and games. Play Anything, reveals that games appeal to us not because they are fun, but because they set limitations . Soccer wouldn't be soccer if it wasn't composed of two teams of eleven players using only their feet, heads, and torsos to get a ball into a goal; Tetris wouldn't be Tetris without falling pieces in characteristic shapes. Such rules seem needless, arbitrary, and difficult. Yet it is the limitations that make games enjoyable, just like it's the hard things in life that give it meaning. Play is what happens when we accept these limitations, narrow our focus, and, consequently, have fun. Which is also how to live a good life. Manipulating a soccer ball into a goal is no different than treating ordinary circumstances— like grocery shopping, lawn mowing, and making PowerPoints—as sources for meaning and joy. We can “play anything” by filling our days with attention and discipline, devotion and love for the world as it really is, beyond our desires and fears. Ranging from Internet culture to moral philosophy, ancient poetry to modern consumerism, Bogost shows us how today's chaotic world can only be tamed—and enjoyed—when we first impose boundaries on ourselves. "An essential read for those seeking to understand how a new idea of play can be positive for our lives." -- Library Journal (STARRED review) “ Play Anything is a profound book: both a striking assessment of our current cultural landscape, and at the same time a smart self-improvement guide, teaching us the virtues of a life lived playfully.” --Steven Johnson, author of How We Got To Now and Everything Bad Is Good For You How filling life with play - whether soccer or lawn mowing, counting sheep or tossing Angry Birds - forges a new path for creativity and joy in our impatient age Life is boring: filled with meetings and traffic, errands and emails. Nothing we'd ever call fun . But what if we've gotten fun wrong? In Play Anything, visionary game designer and philosopher Ian Bogost shows how we can overcome our daily anxiety; transforming the boring, ordinary world around us into one of endless, playful possibilities. The key to this playful mindset lies in discovering the secret truth of fun and games. Play Anything, reveals that games appeal to us not because they are fun, but because they set limitations . Soccer wouldn't be soccer if it wasn't composed of two teams of eleven players using only their feet, heads, and torsos to get a ball into a goal; Tetris wouldn't be Tetris without falling pieces in characteristic shapes. Such rules seem needless, arbitrary, and difficult. Yet it is the limitations that make games enjoyable, just like it's the hard things in life that give it meaning. Play is what happens when we accept these limitations, narrow our focus, and, consequently, have fun. Which is also how to live a good life. Manipulating a soccer ball into a goal is no different than treating ordinary circumstances- like grocery shopping, lawn mowing, and making PowerPoints-as sources for meaning and joy. We can "play anything" by filling our days with attention and discipline, devotion and love for the world as it really is, beyond our desires and fears. Ranging from Internet culture to moral philosophy, ancient poetry to modern consumerism, Bogost shows us how today's chaotic world can only be tamed-and enjoyed-when we first impose boundaries on ourselves. "The gold standard of our culture is 'fun.' Companies want their offices to feel more playful, schools want learning to be entertaining, programmers want their products to feel as intuitive and addictive as playing Tetris or AngryBirds. Trying to make life like playing a game sounds like a good idea--who doesn't want to have fun while working or commuting, parenting or cleaning?--but what's often overlooked in the rush to make everything 'fun' is that games are hard. Playing a sport requires concentration, repetition, and physical pain; playing a musical instrument demands shockingly boring practice and patience; even playing video games requires hours and hours of study, determination, and drive. Making our ideas about 'play' sound a whole lot like 'work.' Where's the fun in that? In Play Anything, Ian Bogost--the Ivan Allen College Distinguished Chair in Media Studies and Professor of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology--shows that our common understanding of games--that they are always fun, and always juvenile--is dead wrong. And that that's a good thing, both for how we play and how we conduct our days"-- Provided by publisher Play Anything is nothing short of brilliant... I will be recommending this provocative and entertaining book to everyone I know." u- Jane McGonigal, bestselling author of Reality is Broken and SuperBetter ife is boring: filled with meetings and traffic, errands and emails. Nothing we'd ever call fun . But what if we've gotten fun wrong? In Play Anything, visionary game designer and philosopher Ian Bogost shows how we can overcome our daily anxiety transforming the boring, ordinary world around us into one of endless, playful possibilities.The key to this playful mindset lies in discovering the secret truth of fun and games. Play Anything, reveals that games appeal to us not because they are fun, but because they set limitations . Soccer wouldn't be soccer if it wasn't composed of two teams of eleven players using only their feet, heads, and torsos to get a ball into a goal Tetris wouldn't be Tetris without falling pieces in characteristic shapes How filling life with play—whether soccer or lawn mowing, counting sheep or tossing Angry Birds—forges a new path for creativity and joy in our impatient age Life is no game. It's demanding, boring, and rarely fun. But what if we've got games wrong? Playing anything—whether an instrument, a sport, or a video game—takes hard work and makes absurd demands. Where's the fun in that? In Play Anything , acclaimed philosopher and award-winning game designer Ian Bogost reveals that play isn't a mindless escape from boring reality. Instead, play is what happens when we accept limitations, narrow our focus, and—consequently—have fun. Which is also how to live a good life. Manipulating cards to make a poker hand is no different than treating chores and obligations as tools but which we can discover new happiness. Ranging from Internet culture to moral philosophy, from ancient poetics to modern consumerism, Play Anything ... "An essential read for those seeking to understand how a new idea of play can be positive for our lives." u- Library Journal (STARRED review) /u Play Anything is a profound book: both a striking assessment of our current cultural landscape, and at the same time a smart self-improvement guide, teaching us the virtues of a life lived playfully." u- Steven Johnson, author of How We Got To Now and Everything Bad Is Good For You /u