A zeitgeist defining book that will challenge all that you know about work, rest and play.
The Play Ethic: A Manifesto for a Different Way of Living
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'A brave attempt to inject a little playfulness... into the dull grind of the working stiff.' -- Iain Finlayson, The Times
'Fizzes with intellectual curiosity. Kane writes engagingly and with a humility difficult fo find among idea-entrepreneurs.' -- James Harkin, Independent
'Fizzes with intellectual curiosity. Kane writes engagingly and with a humility difficult fo find among idea-entrepreneurs.' -- James Harkin, Independent
Book Description
‘Fizzes with intellectual curiosity. Kane writes engagingly and with a humility difficult to find among idea-entrepreneurs’ James Harkin, Independent We all think we know what play is. Play is what we do as children, what we do outside of work, what we do for no other reason than for pleasure. But this is only half of the truth. The Play Ethic explores the real meaning of play and shows how a more playful society would revolutionize and liberate our daily lives. Using wide and varied sources – from the Enlightenment to Eminem, Socrates to Chaos theory, Kierkegaard to Karaoke – The Play Ethic shows how play is fundamental to both society and to the individual, and how the work ethic that has dominated the last three centuries is ill-equipped to deal with the modern world. With verve, wit and intelligence, Pat Kane takes us on a tour of the playful world arguing that without it business, the arts, politics, education, even our family and spiritual lives are fundamentally impoverished. The Play Ethic seeks to change the way you look at your daily life, how you interact with others, how you view the world. It is a guidebook to new, exciting – and unsettling – times. Shocking, controversial, yet magnificently argued, The Play Ethic is a book no one who works, or has ever worked, can afford to be without. ‘Kane's Manifesto for a Different Way of Living is a brave attempt to inject a little playfulness . . . into the dull grind of the working stiff’ Iain Finlayson, The Times
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20 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I think this is a great book that demonstrates that the British work ethic is on its last legs. Play is without doubt the answer. However, as only about 15 per cent of all workers are employed in 'knowledge work' who is going to let us play as much as we should? We should never forget the omnipresence of big business and how it is forever creeping into our lives and commercialising what wasn't. Therefore a play manifesto is great for those who can get it on a regular basis, but for the vast majority are going to have to fight hard to get some of the action.
17 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By NH
Format:Paperback
This book is very well presented and researched. Its argument is well put and challenging, both in the intellectual and stylistic sense.
The main problem is the author has obviously spent no time at all in the real world. He advocates that by (re)discovering the 'playful' side of our personalities we can somehow transform our working environment, to being something that its not - eg no longer work.
Yeah, well, that's fine if you're in a creative job, like being a musician, or working in an advertising agency. But try applying it to being a nurse, teacher, claims handler, farmer, data inputter or any of the million other mundane jobs people struggle through to pay their dues in our screwed up economy.
The notion falls flat straight away, because, actually, in the real world there are profits to be made and targets to be reached. People also desire power, and ruthlessly compete with each other for wealth and status.
I'm trying not to be a boring old cynic. People read books like this and genuinely get inspired to live more meaningful lives. Good for them. But, at the end of the day, its completely stupid to think ideas like this can change the world. To do that requires a lot of effort, persistance and... no pun intended - Work.
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