The Power of Play

This week we discussed the role of play in popular culture. In the article Bootleg Culture the author states that "Bootlegs inject an element of playfulness into a pop music scene that can be distressingly sterile". This indicates that people instinctivly want to have fun while creating. While writing music is not somthing that everyone cand do anyone, with enough practice and technical savey, can blend two existing sourses together. It is apparent when listening or watching these mash-up's that the creators were having fun when the were making it. The episode of "The Super Friends" dubbed with vocals from an episode of "Friends" illustrates this quite well.
Billy Sim discusses our cultures desire to "play God". In the game The Sims the player creates an alternate life in a computer game. While playing this game the user is in total control of their alternate self. This seems to be the draw to gaming. The individual playing is in control and has a goal to complete. Through practice we can become the best that we can be. Through games we also find social interaction through shared interests. This has become an important part of our culture.