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TED Radio Hour · October 16, 2026 · 49m

Have we forgotten how to play?

Play is how we evolved to learn, solve problems, and navigate the world, yet we often treat it as optional. This TED Radio Hour explores the science of play and what happens when we don't get enough, featuring psychology researcher Peter Gray, who studies the role of play in child development, sailor and social activist Tracy Edwards, and photographer Stefen Chow.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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Play as an evolutionary necessity
Play is not a luxury; it's how humans evolved to learn, solve problems, and navigate the world.
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The consequences of play deprivation
When people, especially children, don't get enough play, there are measurable negative consequences for mental health, creativity, and social development.

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