First Place - Mag Cover: Vienna Kids
In the May issue, of The Atlantic, Benjamin Schwarz writes a critique on Konner’s book. This little synopsis is great since it’s longer than War and Peace, and took about as long to write. Crossing multiple disciplines, Konner exhaustively explores the biological evolution of human behavior. The central paradox is: “The smartest mammals are the most playful, so these traits have apparently evolved together.
So, here is the thing – if you just play at whatever you like, you benefit from exercise, learning, and sharpening your skills. Furthermore, this encourages us to try new things and learn with more flexibility. Schwarz deduces (thank you very much!), “In fact, it (playing) may be the primary means nature has found to develop our brains.”
The reason this article jumped out at me is that Freud used to say that Leonardo da Vinci was the most child-like adult to have ever lived. In fact, there are stories of his playing, experimenting, testing, using his body for dancing, spontaneously singing, and playing instruments as the mood struck. His journals are peppered with quips, quotes and witty comments. He was a jokester. (There is the downside of being irreverent, irresponsible, and unreliable – the only reason “The Last Supper” was completed was that payment was withheld!)
This is one reason I created Da Vinci Capers eight years ago. I wanted to play more, experience the fun moments as when we were a child, or perhaps for the first time in our lives, hold a paint brush, or play with clay, or order a coffee in Italian… One day, I will tell you exactly at what moment I knew that Da Vinci Capers had to be created.
In the meantime – play away!
Tags: Benjamin Schwarz, Brain Development, Da Vinci Capers, Leonardo da Vinci, Melvin Konner, The Atlantic
