3 replies to this topic

[jaredennisclark]

This topic will more than likely be quite unpopular, though I'm preparing to write a paper on the subject and am looking for some input. So here goes:

I've recently taken an interest to a study by Ericsson, Krampfe, and Tesh-Romer entitled 'The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance'. It has me wondering though, why do we as humans work so hard to master things? From psych-motor tasks such as putting a ball through a hoop, to cognitive activities such as strategically moving carved pieces of wood across a checkered playing board, we work hard to dominate and become the best we can at what seem to be ridiculous and arbitrary activities.

Has there been any sort of research or hypothesis as to how these activities began to develop? The best I can figure, an activity such as running, or spear-throwing has clear benefits. Our ability to master and take on these different aspects of 'the hunt' would clearly be of considerable benefit when it came to hunting down our food for survival, and a clan's ability to compete and push their skills further would allow them to more efficiently take down their prey.

Where do you think most of our classical leisure activities had their beginning? I'm looking at both psycho-motor activities such as long-distance running, throwing, archery, swimming, etc. as well as cognitive activities such as debate, war planning, chess (and similar intellectual games), etc.

[ToxicS]

I'm too tired to make a decent response but if you think of the shift in evolution where people do not have to abide by the "survival of the fittest" anymore and there is a division of labor, people can spend time increasing their IQ (expanding one's mind through logical games) or just doing things for pure entertainment, going back to roman times with gladiators, it makes sense.

[Kuro]

jaredennisclark, on 06 May 2011 - 12:19 PM, said:

I'm looking at both psycho-motor activities such as long-distance running, throwing, archery, swimming, etc.

This is from the kid that DESPISES swimming and deeply resents all the shit other people make us do. So. With that said. Back on topic.I still think that the whole mindset is "survival of the fittest" To survive we must defeat everyone else and now a days competition isn't animals or all that old school stuff. Now our biggest enemies are ourselves.Also, since the whole spearing,hunting and trapping thing doesn't work for humans people go down the path of defeating others in everything and anything even through little things like running and stupid swimming. Anything to make us feel better than others.Over time, we'll hone our skills to get better and better thus "defeating" more and more people.Sorry if this doesn't make sense

[Sweeney]

jaredennisclark, on 06 May 2011 - 12:19 PM, said:

Where do you think most of our classical leisure activities had their beginning?

Sexual display.
Organisms with resources to spare on what would otherwise be of no contribution to reproductive fitness are more attractive to the opposite sex.