Why Do Adults Stop Playing?
Dr. Peter Gray, play researcher and author of Free to Learn, attributes suppression of play to school. We learn in school that everything is "work" and play is only a reward for work.
How to Get Hired by a Silicon Valley Billionaire
Helping people first is essential. Working for free can help build trust, create goodwill, and positive relationships that can lead to future opportunities. But some people struggle to figure out how they can help others.
This Cop Quit His Job and Rediscovered Himself through Play
I received a message from an old friend today. We’ve known each other since we were about 12 years old, playing little league baseball together.
Nearly 20 years later, he told me that he’d just quit being a cop. Here is his message.
How to Be Friends with Other Species
Heartwarming commercial showing interspecies friendships. It reminded me of Stuart Brown’s research, and the story he tells about the polar bear that played with a sled dog for weeks.
What I Learned Auditioning for Richard Linklater’s Film
I’m not an actor. I’ve never auditioned before. Here’s what happened when I tried out for a movie role, for one of the greatest directors of our generation.
Here’s What You Can Expect from a Speech on Play
Here's a short clip from a talk I gave where 100 people played Rock Paper Scissors tournament-style, becoming their victor's #1 fan after losing. The energy steadily escalated until everyone cheered for the two remaining players - no falling asleep, just Aerobies and fun.
When Does Disease Become The Norm?
Symptoms indicate disease, but if they become socially acceptable, we may not correct course, deepening the disease or creating a new one. Socially enforced behaviors pose a danger that can throw us out of balance with the natural order.
The Best Bedtime: The Earlier, The Better?
Last night, I did something I haven’t done in years: I went to sleep at 9:00pm. I didn’
2 Reasons You Should Go to Prison
Last year, I met 3 ex-convicts who'd spent many years in jail for various crimes. They claimed it was the best thing that ever happened to them. Here's why...
Science Says: Kids Learn Better after Recess
Eagle Mountain Elementary offers tripled recess time and character development to promote better behavior and academic performance. Brain imaging research supports the program's goal of promoting overall growth in students through physical activity and unstructured play.
