Whether you're a big-time game developer, a game designer, or an indie game developer, the science behind how fun works in video games is important as it opens your eyes to understand why video games are boring, why some video games get boring, and how you can make sure that the game you're developing is fun 

Dr. Peter Gray defines play as children’s natural, voluntary activity that fosters creativity and learning. He explains that embracing play helps children become happier, more independent, and better lifelong learners by developing problem-solving skills, social abilities, and intrinsic motivation—essential for growth both inside and outside the classroom. 

Steven Johnson illustrates that many transformative ideas and technologies, such as the computer, arise not from urgent necessity but from playful experimentation and curiosity. He shows how the joy of tinkering and exploring without strict goals fosters creativity and innovation, allowing breakthroughs to emerge organically through open-ended discovery. 

In this animated interview, filmmaker David Lynch reflects on inspiration and the creative process. He challenges the myth that suffering fuels creativity, arguing instead that it blocks it. Lynch emphasizes the importance of inner peace, clarity, and emotional well-being as the true sources of artistic flow and original ideas. 

What sparks the flash of brilliance? How does groundbreaking innovation happen? Using his fluency in fields from neurobiology to popular culture, Steven Johnson provides the complete, exciting, and encouraging story of how we generate the ideas that push our careers, our lives, our society, and our culture forward. 

In this video, Steven Kotler explores the concept of flow—a mental state of complete focus and immersion, often described as “effortless effort.” He explains how flow enhances performance, creativity, and well-being by quieting inner chatter and narrowing attention. When in flow, people feel energized, deeply engaged, and lose track of time. 

This video, produced by Vox, explores a shift in playground design from minimizing risk to embracing it. Research shows that risky play—like climbing, building, or using tools—boosts children's creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Inspired by WWII-era “adventure playgrounds,” some modern communities now encourage controlled risk, sparking debate between safety and meaningful engagement. 

Traditional playgrounds often exclude children with disabilities due to physically demanding designs. In this video, Cody Goldberg discusses the creation of Harper’s Playground, a nonprofit that creates inclusive, accessible play spaces. By reimagining playground design, the organization ensures that all children—regardless of ability—can play, connect, and belong together. 

Dr. John Cohn—an engineer and passionate advocate for play—shares how embracing playfulness fuels creativity, productivity, and joy. He believes that staying in a childlike state of wonder makes work more meaningful. After the tragic loss of his son, John found healing through SamStones, a global project honoring his son's legacy. His message: life often challenges play, but we must fight to keep it alive, because play connects us to our most creative, resilient selves. 

The point of fiction is to cast a spell, a momentary illusion that you are living in the world of the story. But as a writer, how do you suck your readers into your stories in this way? Nalo Hopkinson shares some tips for how to use language to make your fiction really come alive. Lesson by Nalo Hopkinson, animation by Enjoy animation. 

Imagine, for a second, a duck teaching a French class. A ping-pong match in orbit around a black hole. A dolphin balancing a pineapple. You probably haven’t actually seen any of these things. But you could imagine them instantly. How does your brain produce an image of something you’ve never seen? Andrey Vyshedskiy details the neuroscience of imagination.  animation by Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat. 

In this video, neuroscience student Artem Kirsanov explains how the brain uses cognitive maps—internal models of the external world—to organize information. These maps help us navigate complex environments, make decisions, and generalize knowledge across different situations. By understanding cognitive maps, we gain insight into how flexible, adaptive behavior emerges from brain function.