A few notes of Finite and Infinite games by James P. Carse

Just like to share a few insights from this original book:

1

There are at least two kinds of games. One could be called finite, the other, infinite. A finite game is played for the the purpose of winning; an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.

2

- The rules of the finite game may not change; the rules of an infinite game must change. 

- Finite players play within boundaries; infinite players play with boundaries.

- A finite player plays to be powerful; an infinite player plays with strength.

- A finite player consumes time; an infinite player generates time.

- The finite player aims for eternal life; the infinite player aims for eternal birth.

3

It is an invariable principle of all play, finite and infinite, that whoever plays, plays freely. Whoever must play, cannot play.

4

Society is finite play; culture is infinite

44

Therefor 'poets' do not fit into society, not because a place is denied them but because they do not take their place 'seriously'. They openly see their roles as theatrical, its styles as poses, its clothing costumes, its rules conventional, its crises arranged, its conflicts performed, and its metaphysics ideological.

94

A culture can be no stronger than its strongest myths.

95

Myths are told for their own sake, are not stories that have meanings, but stories that give meanings.

100

Infinite players are not serious actors in any story, but joyful poets of a story that continues to originate what they cannot finish.

101

There is but one infinite game...

So on and so on...

A little book of joy; a little book of life!

Maarten, Asuncion, Paraguay

Maarten, Asuncion, Paraguay