Stuart Brown: Play is more than fun

www.ted.com A pioneer in research on play, Stuart Brown says humor, games, roughhousing, flirtation and fantasy are more than just fun. Plenty of play in childhood makes for happy, smart adults -- and keeping it up can make us smarter at any age.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

[@samucarvajal-art]

I can't believe that this talk is 13 years old. Still relevant today.

[@Earl_TheSquirrel]

Very

[@Cliffdog01]

I love this line that he makes "if it's purpose is more important than the act of doing it then it is probably not play" as a person training to be in Early childhood That quote single single-single-handedly made me stop and think about how I practise play in a centre

[@lovegod777]

anyone watching this for school?🙋🏼‍♀️

[@ariannathemochalion4452]

Yep

[@YourBuddyAaron]

Yes siir

[@SeemeSeeme-yd6xe]

yes

[@ariannathemochalion4452]

@@SeemeSeeme-yd6xehey Anika

[@zoezhu757]

For my English Class

[@KitUmscheid]

The opposite of play is not work, it's depression. Well said.

[@creativemovements]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I work as a drama therapist and I completely agree on the vital importance of play in our lives to maintain a healthy mental, physical and emotional health as individuals and part of the collective whole including at the work place. This is brilliant!

[@joanmnordemann]

This video affirms the adage "all work and no play....." and how that idea is hindrance to our well being. I applaud the research and am learning to play again in my life. It allows me to laugh more, live more and release so many of the stresses that have accumulated in my "workaholic" lifestyle. Sales have improved and the interaction I have with others is far more fulfilling.

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

Also watch Dr. Maté... perhaps the 'consequences of stressed parenting' video -you tube.

[@KrosanBeast315]

All Work and No Play makes anyone a Dull Joy

[@thomaschapman4567]

Truly appreciate Your valued research and work on this subject

[@frisbeejim]

So many comments are superimposing a different definition of play on this video, not seeing what is common to all his examples, through all the categories of play: It is not about some throwback, pre-technology, outdoor, politically correct version of play, it's not about how gleeful it is, it's a developmental process of testing your physical, cognitive, social, and emotional abilities by trying out everything, engaging with the world in the widest variety of ways possible.

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

The "Glee" part, i believe created interest... in the withdrawn life of an Autistic child... it made him have interest... in what is going on "outside"(of himself), and in two weeks he made eye contact with his parents and grandparents... that impressed them so that... (allthough they themselves would not stoop to play-ever)... they got someone else to do the play... till the child improved skills enough... that they could interface and teach him further.... Glee was so important. Now we have a child.

[@augustclemente2662]

Soften other peoles resistance (and your own) - Law of Defensiveness. By Robert Greene in his book Laws of Human Nature

[@xandraj5487]

I'd love to figure out how to introduce play for high school and more advanced education. As in how to incorporate it into the work rather than just doing one or the other.

[@lauravaleriauthor]

14.00: "The basis of human trust is established through play signals, and we begin to lose those signals, culturally and otherwise, as adults" The most profound thing he's said is that a potentially lethal situation can be diffused through play signals.

[@Abdullahjimmy]

Laura Valeri true

[@ktc333]

It is, but don't forget to play for it's own sake too - not just when a ferocious beast is staring you down.

[@evilepicface5860]

*It's a shadow game now*

[@foxtrotA1]

"what does play do for the brain?" Play is serious. Nothing lights up the brain like play...executive ability increased, mobility, contexual intelligence. If you stop play in rats (who have the same neurotransmitters as we do, with a similar neurocortex), they withdraw and don't come out again. Depression is the opposite of play. Trust is built up between those who play. Neoteny. Play fires up our imagination, fantasy. A transformative force, positive. Write a play history, then see if/how you can incorporate it in your life. From Play to Imagination. Flow.

[@gotstrength]

Susan X 🎯

[@Doggie650]

I'm trying to bring Affective Neuroscience to the dog industry. To bring more PLAY to dog/ human relationships. Not just trying to keep dogs stress free, but able to SEEK PLAY together.

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

The child was withdrawn. Diagnosed... He will (like in puff the magic dragon...), never speak, keep him safe and warm. Play worked outside those perameters... and with emotion... in context, +more nature exposure. Somehow life seemed worth coming to... and he is still here today. Studying at Uni. The parents life enriched, not less stress and worries they say, but better quality of life. Thanks Play: PLAY SAVED THE CHILD.

[@adolthitler]

When I was a toddler still in nappies, my mom took me to our neighbours house. My neighbour had a german shepard chain on one side of his verandah. It would bark and strain at the leash, my mum was scared, but I rolled across the verandah and wrestled with the dog, even taking bones from its mouth. My mum was screaming at me to get away from the dog. I just said why? its my friend. My mum asked my neighbour to get me away from the dog, but he was scared of his own dog. Play for the win.

[@advancedenglishindia]

Integrating play with work and make it edge around fun is perhaps the key to a lost more issues in the industrial world....this is a spring board for that thought ! Cheer,rk

[@PeteS_1994]

I want to play more, feel a sense of freedom more.

[@augustclemente2662]

Soften other peoles resistance (and your own) - Law of Defensiveness. By Robert Greene in his book Laws of Human Nature

[@makemusichere]

Dr Brown also adds: “Play isn’t the enemy of learning, it’s learning’s partner. Play is like fertilizer for brain growth. It’s crazy not to use it.” Love it. Play. Learn. Grow. -Dr Stuart Brown

[@Serpreme]

i have always thought this about play and having fun. I plan on reading some books on this for my kids.

[@ktc333]

'They're in an altered state.' I LOVE it.

[@PhyA52]

This was very enlightening. I love TEDTalks.

[@HiAdrian]

Very good talk. Finally someone who goes as far to say that play is the very nature of life. Through intellectual concepts, things like survival, success, "purpose" have knocked play of its throne. And we pay the dearly price with our mental and physical well being. Just look at schools... Now that we have technology and machines who enhance our senses and do tedious work for us, we need to start the glorious play before the sun runs out. Survival and security become worthless once assured.

[@Marinkorpse]

Great video!!! Thanks for sharing PEACE!

[@overratedname]

very interesting, perhaps even fascinating. Thanks mate. good talk

[@Creativehealing444]

Timeless wisdom. Thank you 🃏🎾🧸🤸‍♀️⚽️🎈🕴😁 I have been a play therapist for many years. We need more play in our magical mysterious universe...neoteny is my middle name lol

[@kimlea69]

this is a lecture that need to go viral....kim

[@asif_mojtoba]

Ah, such a insightful talk

[@tamara3782]

*Why Adults Should Play* Playing is a very important means for development. When we play, we develop new relationships and connections. While it is common knowledge that children need to play in order to develop, which is why we buy them games and put a lot of effort into working out the most suitable games for each stage of their development, it is not so clear with us adults. We do not really like to play. Our relations end up quickly deteriorating into each one of us degrading the other, which ends our playing. As a result, we miss out on a lot of what we can get out of life. We fail to examine all of our options for development as adults, and we thus put a halt to our further development. We have turned our daily lives into a prison of sorts. That is, we need to look, behave and talk in certain kinds of ways-and only in those certain kinds of ways-otherwise, we will not fit in with others and gain their respect. Without their respect, we get treated in ways that harm us. We suffer from living in such a prison, but it has become so ingrained into our lives that we cannot escape from it. The essence of our playing as adults should be that we treat each other positively even if we do not feel like it, and to teach others to do the same. Playing in such a way would emulate the higher state of positive connection that nature is developing us toward, and we would thus draw positive forces of connection that dwell in nature into our relations, and start feeling happier, more confident, and that our lives are purpose-driven.

[@mentalmoomin]

So true..it's that certain vibration of energy !! So greatly needed in the physical and the spiritual xxx

[@txas1227]

the opposite of play is my professor is making me watch this 30 min video

[@breezyvibe]

Cool video . . I learned a lot!!

[@RalfLippold]

This is just awesome - and don't we feel most human when in the "play state"?

[@samala51]

Another good TED talk

[@xMoac]

really amazing video. Play = Life.

[@boxant]

Extremely interesting speech!

[@eLurkr]

flow :) i keep running into this

[@djben1977]

What a great talk. I have an idea for work.

[@Kevin_-zd3nj]

So educational

[@okonomiyaki4U]

100% true! The problem is, that a lot of people who are in charge of our life (e.g. the guy at the other side of the table during a job interview) are not responding to play-signals like the Polarbear. They just kill you faster. Pitty.....

[@ktc333]

okonomiyaki4U Don't worry. No one is in charge of yor life.

[@partylikeitsnine]

This video is great!

[@86kinky86]

that was a good talk

[@selvmordspilot]

I loved this video. But I don't like the term "serious play". Why not call it "sincere play" instead? The other is almost contradicting itself.

[@ktc333]

selvmordspilot Or just 'play'.

[@mentalmoomin]

I LOVE your spirit LOL xxx

[@MRSketch09]

Wow.. great video. Very informative.. That bit on how NASA hires.. was.. definitely interesting.

[@Breakn28]

All this wisdom yet we continue to spent hundreds of millions building/maintaining stadiums/ arenas and on athletes salaries to support only a small portion of our population that's been given the golden opportunity to play. Such athletes make more money than our most valuable members of society that contribute more such as doctors, scientists, etc. Our entire system is backwards. This money should be used to support sports and avenues of play that everyone can afford to be involved in at all levels and all ages.

[@sitathisfeet5797]

Amazing thank you for this

[@nooriman5944]

Agreed

[@TEHFOOK]

@5packzach Movies are entertainment: The commodified negation of play (Susan Willis wrote an article about her trip to disney world).

[@nianatashabintiabdulrahim4571]

It is. Most of us makes decision to do something by putting the purpose first instead of enjoying. Eg, thats y some of students dropped from the course just bcs the purpose were too heavy to handle. All the things done by a huge effort but no interest n enjoyable as 'play'

[@JulianHibbert]

Don't argue, play! :)

[@valdithbarros]

Boa Tarde! Vídeo Excelente

[@navadawilliams4413]

Play should include Exploring creativity Flow state Enjoyment with others Competition

[@lvecsey]

lol i can imagine all these black marker points aimed at me and going "whoa, stand back! what are you thinking?"

[@raph2550]

I have a question. How could one define precisely what is play?

[@djben1977]

Your remark is "remarkable." I really like your second paragraph. All true.

[@RicardasBauza]

Great topic something that me as a bodybuilder need to learn.

[@HiAdrian]

The video with the polar bear and the dogs is available of KZbin by the way, just search for it.

[@LanceWinslow]

What if we turned human high-stakes negotiation into play, would we all laugh smile and in the end have made friends and agreed to have fun, not make wars? Thinking on the current Iranian-US nuclear negotiations

[@MechWomanWarrior15]

Well, I've always envisioned nations resolving disputes--instead of actual wars--in Battlefield matches. That way, both nations could still have a technical "war" but without all the consequences. Just a muse of mine...I highly doubt it will ever happen, unfortunately.

[@LanceWinslow]

Yes, of have like robot-wars in a neutral location and donate the destroyed robots to non-profit groups to recycle. I like your thoughts on this MechWomanWarrior

[@harrydargavel5917]

anyone know where I can find the source of the wearable meeting video? thanks

[@GabrielChirila1993]

good

[@PastaMaster115]

"Weird Al" Yankovic should do a Ted Talk.

[@urielortega5593]

hey man when is the new iconic arms coming out?

[@selvmordspilot]

@ticopride : depends of the game i guess. There's a lot of different games out there. But e.g. Portal is an example of a game that I'm pretty sure is good for anyone to play through. It's short, non-repetitive and intelligently fun.

[@Terrible_Peril]

'play' as an instinctive, possibly universal altered state. i like that.

[@bourlinguer88]

the irony of taking play seriously

[@ktc333]

Leif Bloomer Ha!

[@Dman9fp]

Comedians take comedy seriously, it happens

[@mastermill79]

@15:03 never met a dolphin have ya Brown?

[@RJHEllis]

So in summary, it IS GOOD to be a player. Thank you for the evidence thats its GREAT to be a "player" lol

[@punkseth1]

17:00

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

So if I'm massively serious but every now and then blessed with being playful, anyone know how I can increase the FEELING of playfulness.....................?

[@ticopride]

I wonder how playing video games fits into his conception of "play".

[@nooriman5944]

I think it’s the fantasy type of play

[@jidar]

hahahah. Yes he's a Nobel prize winning physicist. And that was him playing himself in the cameo on the Big Bang Theory. :)

[@derman077]

@mrskittykate you were supposed to say "and" not "but"

[@Dman9fp]

So now I can say 'I have childish hobbies so I don't literally kill people, and it's backed by science'...? Awesome xD Edit: On a serious note, I think dolphins & killer whales also share these traits, they are also super smart of course & play a ton (so not just us humans)

[@ManWestSide]

shout out to Principles of coaching. U of W. Turn UP

[@adolthitler]

Been a while since I won the jackpot. I keep getting lemons.

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

@KitUmscheid Dayam. No wonder I'm not very playful now! Thanks crappy childhood!!

[@ktc333]

tobo86 It's never too late.

[@ROFLpwnedvideos]

I breed rats for snake food and sometimes I keep a few as pets, and I watch their behavior...and they play CONSTANTLY. They jump and squeek and chase each other all over the cage. It's amusing to watch.

[@HigherPlanes]

I'm all for play. But that polar bear was NOT hungry!

[@ktc333]

HigherPlanes Playing is always better than snacks. No matter how hungry you are.

[@annisakomalasari9836]

Am i too late, bcs just watched it in 2021?!?

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

just watching now.

[@brunosco]

Never too late (unless you’re dead 😛)

[@mars.maddalena]

@mrskittykate -let's hear you do a presentation

[@Trazynn]

Aww great, just when I gave up World of Warcraft!

[@RilianSharp]

George Smoot is a real person!?

[@KayazuZen]

супер!

[@Trazynn]

I like the definition 'PETA freaks', it suggest there there are other kind of PETA supporters, which I am one of.

[@nickdevoil]

Unfortunate comments on the Bruegel. 1. The painting dates from he second half of the 16th century, not the 15th. 2. It's called Children's Games and depicts... children, completely invalidating the attempted argument. 3. "I think this is a typical picture of what it was like in a courtyard then". Bruegel wasn't a straightforward realist. He specialized in surreal, outlandish compositions intended to convey a moral message. Apart from that, I enjoyed the talk!

[@thegaspucci6450]

Ahoy

[@5packzach]

Don't get it. After saying how bad being a coach potato is (Bart Simpson) he then says that watching movies can be good and be referred to as play. Before I even watched this video I assumed he meant play as being outside, running around, laughing and enjoying yourself.

[@sayheyaha]

Does anyone know the name of the painting at the beginning?

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

Scan through Brugel's work.

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

or "children's play"... it would make more sense it it was this painting. Fits the theme.

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

See Nick de Voil comment lower down.

[@augustclemente2662]

Soften other peoles resistance (and your own) - Law of Defensiveness. By Robert Greene in his book Laws of Human Nature

[@LovezYouful]

why were the huskies tethered?

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

you can google opinions on that video...

[@KrosanBeast315]

Too many of us have their Play Drive bled out of us, or beaten out of us by the time one is a legal adult. We are told not to play because it's not age appropriate. It's a mistake to discourage play. It's the reason why my house has secret doors, secret passageways, a hidden ladder, sliding bookcase doors and a Slide in my house. A person who has a naturally playful mind and heart is the most endangered Species of human in the United States and across the world. If my Nieces or Nephews are on a playground, their parents DO NOT join them, but I WILL. Play is the last human equalizer we have left, and if you reject a child's(one you know very well) want to play with you... You have already lost them and they will suffer tremendously when they become Adults.

[@psicopedagogiasf3530]

Não tem em português??? Iam braziliannnn

[@rafaelflorentin9566]

Aquiii

[@bizarelli7695]

Tem legenda

[@playsavedthechild.2848]

Rio?

[@rocio1788]

Hello everyone! Please follow us here to learn more about play: facebook.com/recessremix/?fref=ts and find us on instagram and twitter: @recessremix

[@wind7519]

Thanks for sharing this! I really find it amazing how something as basic as play, which most of us think we are familiar with, is still vastly unknown and misunderstood for that matter. It is, as Mr. Brown points out, usually associated with childhood and past times. But at its core, it is relevant to our everyday lives. Now it's just a matter of whether we're able to take play seriously.

[@ninanaaigaren]

The 16 that don't like this vid probable never had a chance to play!

[@Vessel-pl1dg]

Man, Ahoy has not aged well

[@CrashGames2108]

By the way, it was sarcasm.

[@Radjehuty]

He didn't say gays, he said "Gaze" lol. It means how something is looking at another. Predatory gaze, playful gaze etc.

[@brunosco]

Predatory gays, playful gays… 😛

[@sirhung]

Wait until that polar bear and husky is starving, we'll see if they'll play or not.

[@overratedname]

its quite possible that while they are in nature, the husky is accompanied by its... human.

[@skeletonmeister]

I see what you did there.

[@bigdaddyirv15]

and and and lol

[@GooglePleaseEmployMe]

Ahoy?

[@thexjade379]

His voice is not deep enough

[@abcnews388]

I fell I have been scammed. I just wanted to find out more about my favorite creator and this is what I get.

[@RJHEllis]

lol

[@biscuitburger725]

Ahoy ahoy ahoyahoyahotahlou

[@MetalSupra1982]

haha XD