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The Playing Field

Sport and culture through the lens of science

Flow
Flow States and Creativity

Steven Kotler on February 25, 2014

Creativity has become the most important skill to have in the 21st century—but we still don't know how to train people up on it. Until now…

Creativity has become the most important skill to have in the 21st century—but we still don't know how to train people up on it. Until now…

Creativity
Einstein at the Beach

Steven Kotler on October 17, 2012

Einstein, obviously one of the great creative lions in science, was also a keen risk-taker.

Einstein, obviously one of the great creative lions in science, was also a keen risk-taker.

Creativity
Why Great Artists Steal...

Steven Kotler on July 2, 2012

Last May, the software company Adobe released the results on their global survey on the state of creativity. Over 5,000 individuals in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Japan, were polled. Key findings were familiar. Here’s their top ten list.

Last May, the software company Adobe released the results on their global survey on the state of creativity. Over 5,000 individuals in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Japan, were polled. Key findings were familiar. Here’s their top ten list.

Decision-Making
Dare to Dream

Steven Kotler on June 21, 2012

Scientists used to think of risky behavior as negative, associating it with drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, and even mania—but entrepreneurship throws a wrench in those works.

Scientists used to think of risky behavior as negative, associating it with drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, and even mania—but entrepreneurship throws a wrench in those works.

Grief
The Bionic Man

Steven Kotler on June 17, 2012

This was Captain David Rozelle, the one they called Iron Man or Killer 6 or Kowboy 6—the 6 being short for “six-shooter,” as in gunslinger, ass kicker, take your pick

This was Captain David Rozelle, the one they called Iron Man or Killer 6 or Kowboy 6—the 6 being short for “six-shooter,” as in gunslinger, ass kicker, take your pick

Career
From Prostitutes to Pet Therapy

Steven Kotler on July 29, 2011

About an aytpical mental health worker career trajectory in the key of “P”: Prostitutes to Prison to Pahrump to Parrots to Pet Therapy.

About an aytpical mental health worker career trajectory in the key of “P”: Prostitutes to Prison to Pahrump to Parrots to Pet Therapy.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
The Psychedelic Renaissance: The Drugs Are Back, And They Mean Business This Time!

Steven Kotler on January 5, 2011

Psychedelics are back! Scientists have discovered that drugs like LSD and MDMA are  out to be our best hope for some of our most difficult conditions. Could "I want to party like it's 1969" really be the future of medicine?

Psychedelics are back! Scientists have discovered that drugs like LSD and MDMA are  out to be our best hope for some of our most difficult conditions. Could "I want to party like it's 1969" really be the future of medicine?

Animal Behavior
But Is It Murder?

Steven Kotler on September 15, 2010

Yesterday, David Yoder of New York gassed 93 dogs to death—he's going to get a slap on the wrist, but should he got to jail for murder instead?

Yesterday, David Yoder of New York gassed 93 dogs to death—he's going to get a slap on the wrist, but should he got to jail for murder instead?

Genetics
You Are Not You: The Conundrum of the "Me."

Steven Kotler on August 26, 2010

The brilliant Jungian psychologist James Hillman once wrote: "There is only one core issue for all psychology. Where is the "me." Where does the "me" begin? Where does the "me" stop? Where does the other begin?"

The brilliant Jungian psychologist James Hillman once wrote: "There is only one core issue for all psychology. Where is the "me." Where does the "me" begin? Where does the "me" stop? Where does the other begin?"