Author: Barbara Juster Esbensen
Publisher: U of Minnesota Press
ISBN: 1452933243
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 34
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Book Description
Explores the world of the North American river otter, describing the playful mammal's behavior and characteristics.
Author: Ralf Der
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642202535
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 343
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Book Description
Autonomous robots may become our closest companions in the near future. While the technology for physically building such machines is already available today, a problem lies in the generation of the behavior for such complex machines. Nature proposes a solution: young children and higher animals learn to master their complex brain-body systems by playing. Can this be an option for robots? How can a machine be playful? The book provides answers by developing a general principle---homeokinesis, the dynamical symbiosis between brain, body, and environment---that is shown to drive robots to self- determined, individual development in a playful and obviously embodiment- related way: a dog-like robot starts playing with a barrier, eventually jumping or climbing over it; a snakebot develops coiling and jumping modes; humanoids develop climbing behaviors when fallen into a pit, or engage in wrestling-like scenarios when encountering an opponent. The book also develops guided self-organization, a new method that helps to make the playful machines fit for fulfilling tasks in the real world. The book provides two levels of presentation. Students and scientific researchers interested in the field of robotics, self-organization and dynamical systems theory may be satisfied by the in-depth mathematical analysis of the principle, the bootstrapping scenarios, and the emerging behaviors. But the book additionally comes with a robotics simulator inviting also the non- scientific reader to simply enjoy the fabulous world of playful machines by performing the numerous experiments.
Author: Gary S. Cross
Publisher: Columbia University Press
ISBN: 0231127243
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 321
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Book Description
From 'Sodoms by the sea' at Coney Island & Blackpool to carefully orchestrated corporate entertainment, this new history compares the pursuit of pleasure on both sides of the Atlantic.
Author: M.A. Blythe
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402029675
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 294
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Book Description
This book reflects the move in Human Computer Interaction studies from standard usability concerns towards a wider set of problems to do with fun, enjoyment, aesthetics and the experience of use. Traditionally HCI has been concerned with work and task based applications but as digital technologies proliferate in the home fun becomes an important issue. There is an established body of knowledge and a range of techniques and methods for making products and interfaces usable, but far less is known about how to make them enjoyable. Perhaps in the future there will be a body of knowledge and a set of techniques for assessing the pleasure of interaction that will be as thorough as those that currently assess usability. This book is a first step towards that. It brings together a range of researchers from academia and industry to provide answers. Contributors include Alan Dix, Jacob Nielsen and Mary Beth Rosson as well as a number of other researchers from academia and industry.
Author: Benjamin Beil
Publisher: transcript Verlag
ISBN: 3732862003
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 296
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Book Description
Game culture and material culture have always been closely linked. Analog forms of rule-based play (ludus) would hardly be conceivable without dice, cards, and game boards. In the act of free play (paidia), children as well as adults transform simple objects into multifaceted toys in an almost magical way. Even digital play is suffused with material culture: Games are not only mediated by technical interfaces, which we access via hardware and tangible peripherals. They are also subject to material hybridization, paratextual framing, and processes of de-, and re-materialization.
Author: William Monroe Cockrum
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 650
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Book Description
Author: Dale Leorke
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000217728
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 258
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Book Description
This book explores what games and play can tell us about contemporary processes of urbanization and examines how the dynamics of gaming can help us understand the interurban competition that underpins the entrepreneurialism of the smart and creative city. Games and Play in the Creative, Smart and Ecological City is a collection of chapters written by an interdisciplinary group of scholars from game studies, media studies, play studies, architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning. It situates the historical evolution of play and games in the urban landscape and outlines the scope of the various ways games and play contribute to the city’s economy, cultural life and environmental concerns. In connecting games and play more concretely to urban discourses and design strategies, this book urges scholars to consider their growing contribution to three overarching sets of discourses that dominate urban planning and policy today: the creative and cultural economies of cities; the smart and playable city; and ecological cities. This interdisciplinary work will be of great interest to students and scholars of game studies, play studies, landscape architecture (and allied design fields), urban geography, and art history.
Author: Owen Aldis
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 1483261115
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 344
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Book Description
Play Fighting considers the possible benefits of play for humans and animals. This book is divided into two main topics—animal play and human play. In these topics, this text specifically discusses the definition, evolution, and function of play; criteria of chasing and play fighting; function of laughter in human play; and spurious correlation between exploratory and playful species. The surplus energy and catharsis theories of play; vestibular stimulation acting as a reinforcer; function of mother-infant play; and properties of play-fear and serious-fear stimuli are also elaborated. This compilation likewise covers the puzzling blind spots of child psychology; play and child rearing; and play fear of "monsters. This publication is a good source for students and individuals interested in the survival value of play for animals and healthy development of children.
Author: Austin Dyer
Publisher: Austin Dyer
ISBN:
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 136
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Book Description
The embrace of the outdoors has been the cornerstone of my existence-a profound connection that began amidst the sprawling fields surrounding my childhood home in the heart of Texas. Those vast expanses became my canvas for exploration, nurturing an innate love for nature's grandeur and the infinite adventures it offered.Transitioning from a mere enthusiast to a seasoned guide leading expeditions into the wilderness marked a transformative phase in my life. Guiding others through the backcountry became not just a profession but an extension of my very being. Over the years, I've shepherded over 10,000 individuals into the untamed wilds, accumulating an impressive tally of more than two years spent residing under the canopy of stars in the confines of a tent.Yet, as every seasoned adventurer knows, the script rarely unfolds precisely as planned. In fact, I've come to realize that approximately 90% of the time, circumstances pivot away from our meticulously charted course. Despite the unexpected twists and turns that would seemingly throw a wrench into the gears of our plans, I've maintained a steadfast belief that these deviations are the very essence of adventure itself. In those moments of deviation, I've always stressed the importance of fostering a positive attitude-a beacon that guides us through the unforeseen challenges.It was within these experiences that the seeds for my book, "Out-lol-doors," were sown. I yearned to pen a compendium not just outlining practical advice for outdoor pursuits but infusing it with a comedic lens-a fusion of laughter and wisdom aimed at illuminating the practical aspects of outdoor recreation in an engaging and entertaining manner.
Author: Nicky Huys
Publisher: Nicky Huys Books
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 99
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Book Description
"The Playful Otter: Life in the River" invites readers on an enchanting journey into the world of otters and the vibrant river ecosystems they call home. Through captivating storytelling and stunning illustrations, this book illuminates the playful antics and fascinating behaviors of otters, offering a glimpse into their remarkable lives. From their agile swimming skills to their close-knit family dynamics, readers will discover the wonders of these charismatic creatures and gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of life in the river. With a focus on conservation and environmental awareness, this book inspires young minds to cherish and protect the natural world around them. It's a heartwarming and educational exploration that celebrates the joy of nature and the endearing spirit of the playful otter.
