A bit of a lighter topic today: What is fun?

This seems like a simple question that would be tempting to hand-wave away as a “Well you know…” but the more I think about it the less cut and dry it seems.

Some prompts to get you thinking

  • What are the merits and purposes of fun?

  • What makes something fun? Though different people find different things fun, is there a common thread that makes those things fun?

  • Is it easier for some kinds of people to have fun than others? What kinds of situations lend themselves to fun experiences, which make them difficult?

  • Are there ways for people who have forgotten how to have fun to “get back in touch with fun?”

  • Do you think you have enough fun? Too much?

  • How much fun is the right, or a good amount?

  • ddrcrono@lemmy.caOPM
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    4 months ago

    I like to leave these a few days but I’m surprised nobody touched on the concept of play / practice as one of the reasons for fun (basically being able to learn things in a way that feels low-risk and casual - lots of studies on play, which relates to fun, showing such).

    Other obvious function would be relief from stress / taking a break from things being serious in life. (Giving the mind a way to unwind and relax). Feels like there’s benefit in that for everyone as well.

    Also, how too much of things that are normally fun start to lose their appeal (suggesting there’s a limit to what’s useful fun). And obviously what becomes of people who have no fun at all.