playing the infinite game

“No one can play a game alone. One cannot be human by oneself. There is no selfhood where there is no community. We do not relate to others as the persons we are; we are who we are in relating to others. Simultaneously the others with whom we are in relation are themselves in relation. We cannot relate to anyone who is not also relating to us. Our... See more

“Finite players play within boundaries; infinite players play with boundaries.”

“It is a highly valued function of society to prevent changes in the rules of the many games it embraces... Deviancy, however, is the very essence of culture.

Author James Carse once wrote that “there are at least two kinds of games. One could be called finite; the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.” As someone who cherishes independence, I’ve realized that rather than trying to win, my primary goal is to continue... See more

The religion scholar James P. Carse wrote that there are two kinds of games in life: finite and infinite. A finite game is played to win; there are clear victors and losers. An infinite game is played to keep playing; the goal is to maximize winning across all participants.

Infinite vs. Finite: Are you playing to win or playing so that you can keep on playing? Finite games are games that come to an end; these are the everyday games we play with the goal of winning. Infinite games are played with the goal of continuing play, requiring players to invite others, explore the boundaries of what’s possible, and when... See more

A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.

“Only that which can change can continue.”