Blog 1

 Nelson distinguishes the types of play between attitude and activity; however speaks on only activity for our purposes. Play activity is defined as an activity that has its own set rules and identifying characteristics set by those who are playing. (Nelson 100) Clearly children who are playing tag fall into this category. They have their rules that are enforced and acknowledged by the all the players. Children playing pretend doctor also obviously have their constraints as the game is about doctors. Adults who engage in dungeons and dragons are participating in the activity of play. You could argue that the stock market is play by that definition. There are rules set by those who are playing, namely the laws and courtesies that are in place for buying, selling and trading. There are also identifying characteristics that make the stock market its own game. You could say that the people who where involved in the Game Stop stock fiasco were just simply playing the game by the stock market's own rules. The problem was shorting stock. A bunch of people were essentially betting on Game Stop's business going into the gutter. Some people online saw that and decided to bet the opposite. They did that so much that the people shorting stock lost a ton of money. They were really upset but the opposition was just following the rules of the game. Here’s what happened to GameStop stock, and what may be next - Chicago Tribune

The big difference though comes with Nelsons next concept. Playfulness. This is an attitude of "creative rule engagement". (Nelson 101) Having an imaginative take on the rules of the task at hand. Playfulness does not have to come in the form of kids taunting each other by making the rule of not touching and then going "I'm not t o u c h i n g it". It can be like how teachers break the normal format of standardized testing to give oral exams or projects instead. Its still testing what the student can do but its creative against the standard. I think that playful as an adult is sometimes interpreted as flirty. Often friendship is misinterpreted as romantic interest, or at least in my case that happens often. So its not a far stretch to go for simple wholesome playfulness as flirtation. I think that might be a partial reason as to why playfulness is so metered as an adult. I have no doubt its also the structures that are in place, but it also has to do with how that playfulness will be perceived. If its unprofessional to be perceived as flirtatious you may have to hold back how you actually want to be. I find it difficult to fully express myself for fear of how others will see me. So I remain internally playful.