The Power of Play: Connecting TikTok and Victorian Parlour Games

The Power of Play: Connecting TikTok and Victorian Parlour Games

In the digital age, the internet has become our community theatre, where social ties are formed and culture is transmitted. Just as community theatre draws us in with its sense of belonging, play has the ability to create lasting social groupings that extend beyond the game itself. This idea was first explored by Dutch historian Johan Huizinga in his book Homo Ludens, published in 1938. Huizinga described play as a "magic circle" that allows individuals to feel "apart together" in a unique and exceptional situation. This concept still holds true today, as we see the formation of social connections through platforms like TikTok.

TikTok, with its short-form videos and creative challenges, exemplifies the power of play in the online world. It allows users to transform the most familiar circumstances into fantasies, creating a sense of liberation and excitement. However, as with any form of play, there are risks involved. People tend to imitate what others do, and this can lead to the spread of bad behaviors or harmful content. The challenge in managing social media platforms like TikTok lies in maximizing their benefits while minimizing the potential risks.

Similar to the way play transcends the boundaries of the game itself, reading is an experience that goes beyond consuming words. It requires active engagement and the use of multiple senses. In order to truly make the most of reading, it is important to develop productive habits. According to a report by the University of California, the average American encounters 100,000 words per day. With such a vast amount of information to process, it can be easy to forget most of what we read. Therefore, it is crucial to approach reading with intention and focus.

One habit that avid readers adopt is the practice of sharing their reviews with the reading community. Platforms like Goodreads provide a space for readers to express their thoughts and opinions on books they have read. By engaging in these discussions and reading other people's perspectives, readers can gain new insights and notice details and lessons that they might have missed. Sharing reviews not only helps to solidify one's own understanding of a book but also contributes to the larger reading community.

However, it is important to remember that reading should be a source of enjoyment, not a chore. Life is too short to waste time on things that do not bring us joy. As the poet Joseph Brodsky once said, "There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." Reading should be a fulfilling and enriching experience, and if a book does not resonate with us, it is perfectly acceptable to put it down and move on to something else.

In conclusion, the power of play can be seen in both the realm of social media, as exemplified by TikTok, and the world of reading. Play creates social ties that extend beyond the game, while reading allows us to engage with stories and ideas on a deeper level. To make the most of these experiences, it is important to approach them with intention and focus. By maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks, we can fully embrace the magic circle of play and the transformative power of reading.

Three actionable advice to maximize the benefits of play and reading:

• 1. Set aside dedicated time for play: Just as we schedule time for work and other responsibilities, it is important to prioritize play. Whether it's engaging with TikTok videos or participating in a game night with friends, carving out time for play allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience and reap its benefits.

• 2. Practice active reading: Instead of passively consuming words, engage with the text by taking notes, highlighting key passages, or discussing the book with others. Actively participating in the reading process helps to improve comprehension and retention, ensuring that the experience is meaningful and impactful.

• 3. Curate your reading list: Life is too short to read books that do not resonate with us. Take the time to curate a reading list that aligns with your interests and preferences. This will not only make reading more enjoyable but also increase the likelihood of retaining and applying the knowledge gained from the books.

By incorporating these actionable advice into our lives, we can fully embrace the power of play and reading, creating lasting social connections and enriching our understanding of the world around us.