Finite and infinite games
by James P. Carse, James Carse · first published 1986
74% recommend19% neutral6% critical
Why HN recommends it
Slim, readable philosophy that frames life, work, and startups as games, separating play to win from play to keep playing. Readers say it shifts how they see the rat race, roles, and winning and losing.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Finite games are the familiar contests of everyday life, the games we play in business and politics, in the bedroom and on the battlefield — games with winners and losers, a beginning and an end. Infinite games are the more mysterious — and ultimately more rewarding. They are unscripted and unpredictable; they are the source of true freedom. -- from the back cover of the 1986 edition.
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…articles and talks immediately made me appreciate him as an amazing thinker, observer, and truly brilliant writer. This book is worthwhile for the pieces on Japan alone, but every single piece is wonderful. Finite and Infinite Games - James Carse. An old book but one I only just discovered. No book has every so subtly had an impact on my life every day. The finite vs. infinite way of looking at the world has changed the way I think…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2012” ↗…concepts in that book frequently appear in my thoughts 20 years after I worked through some of it. I don’t associate it with truth; but some of the mental models have really stuck with me. Edit: also Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse. It’s slim and user friendly to a fault, and would be easy to underestimate at first glance, but imho contains great wisdom and beauty.
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗My favorite thing about "Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse is you can yadda-yadda the whole book: "There are two types of games. One could be called finite; the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game…
on “Ask HN: Name one idea that changed your life” ↗My two favorite books on this subject: 1) James Carse, Finite and Infinite Games, http://amzn.com/1476731713 2) Antoine de St.-Exupéry, Wisdom of the Sands (Fr. Citadelle) http://amzn.com/0226733726
on “The rituals we perform and the games we play” ↗…involving some people benefiting and some others getting hurt, and not always can everyone be persuaded to sign onto the socially agreed decision. * * * But for more on your point, I recommend Carse’s book Finite and Infinite Games, https://amzn.com/0029059801/
on “The Dying Art of Disagreement” ↗…is broader. The society's goal is broader still. One could even look at the evolutionary purpose of play itself. For those interested in this sort of distinction, I strongly recommend James Carse's "Finite and Infinite Games": https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004W3FM4A/
on “Hedge-Fund Son Thought Hedge-Fund Dad's Trades Were Fishy” ↗Among my recent reads: 1. Finite and infinite games, by James Carse 2. Antifragile, by Nassim Taleb (IMHO the book rambles on a little too much; some of his hour long YouTube talks convey the ideas almost as well) 3. Obedience to authority, by Stanley…
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗"Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse. Makes me think a lot about the rat race versus a life lived for a higher purpose. My copy is pretty worn out from my carrying it around a rereading it. If you like graphic novels, the…
on “Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?” ↗I second the recommendation of Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse. He takes this simple concept and expands and applies it to modern tech, politics, the workplace, education, etc: "There are at least two kinds of games. One could be called finite,…
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse Beautiful book, full of wisdom. It's short but I had to read it multiple times (and I'll probably read it many times more, each time discovering something new and deeper and relevant to…
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗…time the sandwich spends on which part of the refrigerator, then I'll improve. Sorry I'm tremendously eager to eat a sandwich right now. A good follow up book after reading Outliers is James P Catse's "Finite and Infinite Games": https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476731713/ref=as_li_tl?ie...
on “The Myth of 10,000 hours” ↗I would highly recommend reading the book "Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse
on “Ask HN: What has your work taught you that other people don't realize?” ↗“Finite and infinite games” by James Carse. Philosophy and hugely thought provoking.
on “Ask HN: What are the best unknown books you have read?” ↗See also: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. Great read (based on a previous work, Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse) on the need to play on a different playing field than the one that supposedly has a 'winner' and a 'loser.' Applies to companies, individuals, organizations, relationships...you get the…
on “Being OK with not being extraordinary” ↗I've found 'Finite and Infinite Games' by James Carse to be amazing thorough and enriching book along these lines. https://www.amazon.com/Finite-Infinite-Games-James-Carse/dp/...
on “Nature invented play long before it invented us” ↗