The only purpose of an infinite game is to prevent it from coming to an end--to keep all the players playing. How do we find new players and/or how do they find us?

Toby, must a game have a purpose?

S Redd

Sheila

Maybe we have to define what we mean by game. Or can we say all games have a purpose and that is to play? The infinite variety seems up for the joy of playing-- doesn't care much for winning or losing. If you're an infinite player, you can't be obsessed with death. It shows up as a surprise. Might that end the play? The infinite player dies in the course of play--an unscripted surprise and an inspiration for others, maybe. If so, even in death the infinite player helps the play continue.

If you're not playing, what else might you do?

And what is to become of us
when our playmates vanish?

When our playmates vanish we are left with a sad surprise because, you're right, they are dead. But the game goes on with new playmates. I like the idea of the inspiration of not dwelling on death. Morbidity certainly isn't part of my playfulness. We can only hope for ourselves and our loved ones that death visits us unannounced. It certainly puts a crimp in playfulness. Frankly, I'm against it.

S Redd

I agree with what was so implicit, tho not stated, in your note-- an infinite player needs a far out (or close in?) sense of humor. A playmate of mine, when we were working on a film script, dubbed me the happy idiot. I took that as a great compliment. Do you think infinite players recognize one another right away?

Yes, instant recognition. Don't you think? A sense of simpatico, a twinkle, readily seen.

S Redd

This matter of "recognition" is getting some play these days. Is there an instant recogntion (intuitive knowing) via a small bit of information, or is it instant because of life experiences that allow for a quick reading of a person or situation? . . . Is the twinkle you refer to have to do with some mind-altering
history?

I think twinkle is the wrong word. Sounds like a leprechaun. Not that I'm anti-Irish, of course. I think spark is a better word. And spark goes along with recognition. So, yes, I think it's an intuitive knowing combined with our experience based on our intelligence. Does that make any sense, Toby? Of course, this would mean that really, really stupid people couldn't be playmates. Is that prejudiced? Do let me know your thoughts on this gleeful topic.

S Redd

Sheila,

You make perfect sense--some combo of intuition and experience, different combinations for different peope maybe.
I agree that you cannot have a really stupid person as a playmate. That narrows the field down considerably. But what do we mean by stupid?

Toby

Toby, Toby, always with the questions. In my world a stupid person has no sense of humor within him (or her)self and no ability to understand it from another. They don't get it. This is a serious lack. Also, they tend not to be brainiacs. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Stupid is not a very nice word but sometimes we must acknowledge the ugliness in our world. After all, Bush is president. That's some kind of stupid, don't you think?

S Redd