[Artemisia] In Praise of Play

[Dan Lind]

On 11/2/07, Bruce Padget <bapadget at yahoo.com > wrote:
>
> What follows comes out of several discussions in various fora in
> Artemisia.  I write fully realizing that some of this may offend.  Sometimes
> a little offense is needed.
>
> When I moved to Caid, I was worried that I was moving to a Kingdom of
> bureaucrats, based both on what I had heard, and what I had seen at
> inter-Kingdom events.  I've discussed the ideas that follow with folks in my
> new home, and I've been told that Caid once was the Land of the
> Bureaucrat.  Much of Caid has made a conscious move toward a more
> play-centered SCA, I've come to suspect that the problem I identify here is
> a natural part of a group's life cycle.
>
> First, imagine two shires.
>
> Shire one works very hard.  All offices, even the optional ones, are
> filled, and all reports are on time.  But nobody in shire one plays.
>
> Shire two plays creatively and authentically, but no one works.
>
> With which shire do you want to spend time?
>
> The work is important, but it is *not* the goal of the SCA. I've seen
> branches in Artemisia for which the the work had become an end in
> itself.  People in such branches are surprised that their branches often
> struggle.  The usual response is that the branch needs more people to work.
>
> Sometimes branches do need more people to work.  More often, I've found
> that branches need more people to play.
>
> I grew up playing Three Musketeers.  You probably had some similar
> youthful play, and I'll bet some of your best moments in the SCA hearken
> back to it.  You probably joined the SCA in part to fulfill that play need.
>
> I'm pretty sure nobody here
> grew up playing Exchequer.  Even if you are one, and good at it.
>
> Let me suggest an approach to analyzing life in the SCA -- when you think
> about doing something, ask:  Is this the sort of thing I joined for?
>
> If the answer is an unqualified yes, play on!
>
> If it isn't what you joined for, question whether it is necessary.  Unless
> the answer is a clear yes, don't do it.  The farther removed from what you
> joined for, the more you should question it.  Work that does not in some way
> facilitate play shouldn't be taking time and energy.
>
> What's wrong with extra work?  Time and energy are finite.  Time and
> energy spent working can't be spent playing.
>
> Also, we do have a play need, and it will be fulfilled one way or
> another.  No-rules all-terrain Bocce?  Big fun.  No-rules all-terrain "Who's
> Our Next Seneschal?"  Not so much.  I have found that work-centric branches
> do play.  They just don't play fun games, and they don't play nice.
>
> Regards,
> Niccolo
> bapadget at yahoo.com
>
>
> P.S.  One might respond that my hypothetical shire two will not have
> official events or practices, and will soon loose its shire status.  Two
> counters --
>
> 1.  So do just enough work to maintain official status.  (Doing extra work
> doesn't make your branch, event, or practice extra-official.)
>
> 2.  Some of my best times have been with non-official groups.
>
> P.P.S  Rotund one, you're promoting an SCA of nothing but mindless
> hedonism!
>
> Those who play with mindless hedonism are already doing so, and they will
> continue to do so.  You don't counter them with work, you counter them with
> good examples of play.





Maestro,

One of the hallmarks of a great teacher is that when the teacher gives a
lesson, each and every student thinks, "Was that about me?  Do I need to
change?"  For that quality alone, you deserve my respect.  But one quality
is not the sum of any person.  You have also demonstrated a forthrightness
in expectance of furry.  For sending your letter while expecting to be
scorned for it, you again deserve my respect.

And just for the truly literal minded amongst us, you not only deserve my
respect, you have my respect.

With great regard,

Christian

-- 
Einarr Håkonson the Christian, GPA
Côte du Ciel
Artemisia
(MKA Dan Lind)

"It's a dangerous business, going out your front door.  You step onto the
Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might
be swept off to."
- Bilbo Baggins

"Imagine being magically swept away to Delaware...  ...Hi, I'm in Delaware."
- Wayne Campbell

"I think you've had enough to drink, Wayne.  Frodo, bring Wayne some
coffee."
- Bilbo