Personal Interests

I have been playing in one form or another all my life. Sadly, my scholarly interest in the theory and cultural significance of play has so far been no match for my practical obsession with games of all kinds: sports (I routinely hurt myself playing soccer on Sundays, then do laundry while watching football); cards (I love Bridge and Geman Skat), and board games (I collect more than I get to play--"I thought you were rich.").

When playing a game, the goal is to win,
but it is the goal that is important, not the winning.
-- Reiner Knizia

Suggested Readings

  • Nick Hornby, Fever Pitch
  • Franklin Foer, How Soccer Explains the World
  • Friedrich Schiller, On Sentimental and Reflective Poetry 
  • Johan Huizinga, Homo ludens
  • Roger Caillois, Man, Play and Games

Links