undefined | Better HN

0 pointsJensson1y ago0 comments

Looking at a sunset isn't a game you play, kids don't go and play "look at the sunset", I feel like you are grasping at straws.

Why would you feel calm and comfortable from a sunset? Probably to get you sleepy so you go find a place to sleep since there isn't much useful to do at night. That would be unrelated to play.

Anyway, most of our feelings comes from nature, we didn't evolve to be faulty, we evolved to do things efficiently, play is a part of efficiency. If it isn't for learning you would have to explain what it is more likely to be for. When kittens play and chase things or play fight with each other, do you think they are just wasting energy for no reason? No, they sharpen their senses and learn to hunt and fight.

0 comments

bamboozled1y ago

I never said kids play like that. I do.

As an adult, I find it fun and enjoyable to seek out sunsets I find the colors beautiful. I readily hike mountains just to enjoy a sunset. I watch a sunset and then go party till 3 am, so maybe it's got to do with finding a nice place to sleep, or maybe it's just nice that we have the ability to appreciate phenomenon without having to apply some rigorous concept to it. I'd fly 2/3 of the way around the world to watch a total eclipse.

Personally I think you might be clasping at straws trying to equate every pleasant experience to some type of reward function.

I'd go as far as saying if we worked this simply and predictably, then our lives would be much easier. We'd all be exercising for that dopamine hit, we'd all be going to bed early after a nice sunset, but we dont.

JenssonOP1y ago

Doing enjoyable things isn't "play", it isn't work and you relax but it isn't the same thing as playing.

> Personally I think you might be clasping at straws trying to equate every pleasant experience to some type of reward function.

No, here I just focus on why play is fun, you tried to pivot to other pleasurable experiences. Unlike watching sunsets basically every animal plays around as kids, that play is therefore something that is directly related to survival of the fittest or we wouldn't see that everywhere. You need a really strong argument why for humans play doesn't fill that role when it fills that role for basically every other intelligent animal.

> I'd go as far as saying if we worked this simply and predictably, then our lives would be much easier

So you think humanity would be better off if nobody played around and discovered new things? We would be stuck as monkeys in trees then. Play is pivotal to humanity.

bamboozled1y ago

How can you argue I’m smuggling ”enjoyable” experiences into the argument when you yourself admit play is also Enjoyable. What is the actual difference? Even enjoying a cup of coffee can be considered play if I put the coffee in my mouth and play around and pay careful attention to he aromas a texture.

They’re one and the same thing. It’s a matter of language that makes them appear to be different things. Taking a dip in a pool can be considered play and it can also be pleasurable.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

bamboozled1y ago

I never said kids play like that. I do.

Personally I think you might be clasping at straws trying to equate every pleasant experience to some type of reward function.

JenssonOP1y ago

Doing enjoyable things isn't "play", it isn't work and you relax but it isn't the same thing as playing.

> Personally I think you might be clasping at straws trying to equate every pleasant experience to some type of reward function.

> I'd go as far as saying if we worked this simply and predictably, then our lives would be much easier

So you think humanity would be better off if nobody played around and discovered new things? We would be stuck as monkeys in trees then. Play is pivotal to humanity.

bamboozled1y ago

They’re one and the same thing. It’s a matter of language that makes them appear to be different things. Taking a dip in a pool can be considered play and it can also be pleasurable.

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse