thoughts on and conjectures about finite and infinite games

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There are at least two kinds of games: finite and infinite. Finite games are those instrumental activities - from sports to politics to wars - in which the participants obey rules, recognize boundaries and announce winners and losers. The infinite game - there is only one - includes any authentic interaction, from touching to culture, that changes rules, plays with boundaries and exists solely for the purpose of continuing the game. A finite player seeks power; the infinite one displays self-sufficient strength. Finite games are theatrical, necessitating an audience; infinite ones are dramatic, involving participants…

© Midjourney. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International. No modifications. Four years ago I loathed a book I read called Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse. However, due to a series of social interactions I had late last year I found myself thinking about it again; it helped me understand what I was feeling at the time. Thoughts on (just) the first chapter: Carse: There are at least two kinds of games: finite and infinite. Finite games are those instrumental activities - from sports to politics to wars - in which the participants obey rules, recognize boundaries and announce…

thoughts on and conjectures about finite and infinite games

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