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WIRED by Design: A Game Designer Explains the Counterintuitive Secret to Fun

WIRED・10 minutes read

Games hold a mysterious allure that prompts a desire for control, challenging the notion that fun should be effortless. True fun involves engaging deeply and deliberately with meaningful activities, treating them with respect and allowing for continual discovery and growth.

Insights

  • Fun is not synonymous with effortless enjoyment, as Mary Poppins' "a spoonful of sugar" concept oversimplifies it; instead, fun involves manipulating familiar situations in new ways.
  • The origin of the word "fun" in foolishness highlights that true fun requires a commitment to seeing life differently, treating activities with respect, care, and pursuing them deliberately to discover new meanings over time.

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Recent questions

  • What is the origin of the word "fun"?

    Foolishness

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Summary

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"The Power and Purpose of Fun"

  • Games are often seen as a form of black magic due to their power over people, leading to a desire to control them.
  • The misconception of fun as effortless enjoyment has led to the gamification of various activities.
  • Mary Poppins' "a spoonful of sugar" concept oversimplifies fun as enjoyment without effort.
  • Fun is not about making things easy but about manipulating familiar situations in new ways.
  • The origin of the word "fun" lies in foolishness, with fun requiring a commitment to seeing life differently.
  • Fun involves deeply and deliberately pursuing activities that are meaningful and can be done repeatedly with increased adeptness.
  • Fun is found in treating activities with respect and care, allowing for new discoveries and revelations over time.
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