Anyone who cycles will tell you about the childish pleasure to be gained from swooping on two wheels through streets, parks and traffic. Many cyclists report that sometimes when they're riding they burst spontaneously into a broad smile or even a song, such is their astonishment that getting from A to B could continue to be such fun!
Let's face it, there isn't much room for fun in the modern world. Yes, we can watch others singing, dancing, or joking around on TV, but that's the point; in our busy stressful lives we only have time to enjoy ourselves by proxy, courtesy of overpaid 2D goons.
An ucpoming conference, which I'll be speaking at, is calling on artists, thinkers and social innovators to emphasise the importance of well-being in modern life. Called 'Play's The Thing', the event is talking place in London on 22 and 23 November and will encourage participants to prioritise self-expression, creativity, playfulness and fun - some of the lighter sides to well-being.
It's a timely reminder that, in these troubled times, part of the problem is that we've all become too serious. We've all forgotten that life is "just a ride", as the late great Bill Hicks said.
http://playsthething.drupalgardens.com
Tickets available now.
