Today, I want to delve into the concept of expertise. Years ago, when I started giving talks, they were pretty much the same each time. I'd try to mix things up a bit, but the core content remained unchanged. Then, I met an actor who had been performing in the same play for nearly three years. Intrigued, I asked him, “How do you keep it fresh every night?” He explained that he operated on two levels: first, he was acting; second, he made subtle changes and observed the feedback from his fellow actors and the audience. These adjustments might be so minor that others didn't even notice, but they kept him engaged.
Inspired by this approach, I decided to apply it to my lectures. I focused on pauses—something inherently uncomfortable—to see if longer pauses could be effective. So, I experimented with different techniques and observed audience reactions.
Later, I spoke with professional athletes including runners about finding joy in their routines. They told me they paid attention to the synchronicity between their footfalls and breathing, constantly adjusting based on feedback. A concert pianist shared a similar story; he made slight modifications during practice to see what worked best.
All of this led me to believe that play is central to human motivation. Play requires variation and immediate feedback. Without feedback—whether it's an actor gauging audience reactions or a lecturer noting how humor lands—the experience isn't as enriching.
Consider tennis: players receive immediate feedback with each shot, allowing them to adjust and improve continuously. This instant feedback is crucial for motivation and enjoyment.
However, many technologies we've developed don't incorporate this immediate feedback loop. For example, tracking devices tell us how far we've run or how many greens we've eaten but don't make the process enjoyable. They report progress without fostering the sense of play.
Imagine if these devices provided real-time feedback on our running form or breathing patterns. Instead of just informing us we're halfway through a run, what if they helped us fine-tune our steps and breaths? This would transform mundane tasks into engaging activities.
The next challenge for technology is to enhance this feedback mechanism, making activities more playful and motivating. Immediate feedback systems are essential for enjoyment and improvement.
Now, onto a slightly more mature topic: male and female sexuality. Male sexual response tends to offer more immediate feedback—actions yield visible results quickly. Female sexual response often lacks this instant clarity. While women can communicate what's working, the inherent system generally provides less immediate feedback compared to men’s.
This difference means that men’s sexual experiences might naturally align more with systems designed for play due to clearer feedback loops. Enhancing communication can bridge this gap for women.
In conclusion, our inherent need for systems with clear, immediate feedback is vital for play and motivation. Such systems allow us to experiment and see what works best—key elements of play. Let's strive to create technologies that encourage this dynamic interaction.
