The first of (hopefully) many webinars about the wonders and challenges of play today.

The Power of Play

On this webinar• We wish to experiment with the format• We need many different ways of talking, interacting &

developing the playful community; there’s no *one* right way• It’s more structured than a ”regular” online

conversation (e.g. skype)• I’m the only one with mic/webcam, so use the chat as

much as you feel like (& raise your hand if you want to speak)•Don’t hesitate to ask or interrupt; we’re only playing!

Agenda• Welcome: who are here? Where are you from? (10-15 min)• Presentation: CounterPlay – the power of play (15-20 min)• Discussion & questions (10-15 minutes)• What are the burning questions about play? (10 minutes)• Closing remarks

Who’s here?Where are you from? (Why) do you find play important?

The Power of PlayIn which I ramble about CounterPlay and, well, the power(s) of play (do continue to comment & ask

questions while I talk)

What is this ”CounterPlay”?A (tiny) NGO organizing a (slightly less tiny) play festival.

First:?

Why is play important?I *think* playful people are better equipped to live meaningful lives in this messy, complex & chaotic world.

I also think that to become (or stay) playful, you must play

If play is a means to an end, the end is becoming more playful

“When enough people raise play to the status it deserves in our lives, we will find the world a better place”Brown M.D., Stuart; Vaughan, Christopher. Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul

What is the purpose of CounterPlay?We wish to create more opportunities to play, cultivate playful communities across borders and boundaries and drive a movement towards a more playful world.

We need to develop a holistic approach, including all of society & the world

CounterPlay should be a prototype of the playful societyWhat would it look & feel like? How would people interact? How would they solve problems together?

CounterPlay ’17 – The Power of PlayWhat is this about?

Well, it’s our theme for CounterPlay ‘17

http://www.counterplay.org/call-for-proposals

What is the ”power of play”?…but then:

Well, it’s powerS,

plural, really.

Play can add another dimension to every experience” For every dinosaur-shaped cloud that is spotted, a thousand stegosaurs gallop past unnoticed” – Alex Moseley

“I feel more certain than ever that our play and playfulness will prove a powerful healing force - on us and those with whom we play playfully. Play, because it will engage us in the world instead of encouraging us to withdraw”Bernie DeKovenhttps://www.facebook.com/mathias.poulsen/posts/10153886756811447

Play helps us take ourself less seriouslyIn play, we can step out of our normal role, observe ourself from the outside, laugh at the serious facade we usually put up.

Play asks (critical) questionsCan I play here? Who owns our public spaces & institutions?

Play allows us to see the world anewThe world can always be different, no matter how much we hear about ”the politics of necessity”

” Play makes people aware of their capacities for social agency”

Henricks, Thomas S.. Play and the Human Condition

“Playfulness means taking over a world to see it through the lens of play, to make it shake and laugh and crack because we play with it”Sicart, Miguel. Play Matters

Play creates spaces for us to challenge powerThe power of play may be that it gives us the capacity and courage to stand up to the power we are usually subject to or governed by.

These are obviously just a few of the powers of playWe *insist* that play is multi-faceted, complex, full of ambiguity and probably impossible for us to ever understand completely.

That is ok.

How can you contribute?In any way conceivable, but we prefer activities that are participatory, that get people talking-interacting-thinking-working-moving

Proposals can be short, silly, playful, words, drawings…We just need to get an idea about what you want to do, what the participants get to do, and how it can fit in the program. We can *always* talk more later.

Questions, comments?Hit me (if you haven’t already!)

How much can we play in here?1-2-3 DRAW!

What are your most burning questions about play? What are the major challenges?

Get in touch:

Thank you SO much for joining us!Web: www.counterplay.orgEmail: mathias@counterplay.orgTwitter: @CounterPlayFestFacebook – page: www.facebook.com/counterplayingFacebook – group: www.facebook.com/groups/counterplay/