Diversion and Play

Some of the main cultural prejudices against and misunderstandings of the notion Homo Ludens are epitomized in the common characterization of Play as 'diversion'. Usually implied in the latter is 'temporary mindless relaxation' that is ancillary to some regular course of events. In contrast, to begin with, one of the two main Principles in Formaterialism, the Material Principle, is Becoming-Diverse, a term to which 'diversion' is equivalent. Hence, in Formaterialism, 'diversion' is not an ancillary process, but is as fundamental to all Experience as is the Formal Principle. Thus, also, diversion is hardly a temporary experiential episode. Furthermore, the Becoming-Diverse of an Individual, i. e. Exposition, entails exertion, so Formaterial diversion is not necessarily a relaxation. Finally, the Becoming-Diverse of an Individual is deliberate, and, so, is not mindless. Thus, the common notion of 'diversion' is as intrinsically prejudicial against Play as traditional ideology is against Formaterialism. Regardless, Formaterialism rejects the very classification of Play as 'diversion', even in its own sense of the latter. For, Play is a combination of both the Material and the Formal Principles, so diversion, i. e. Becoming-Diverse, is only one component of Play, with one most basic expression of the other, attention, being a constant concomitant to it, giving shape to diversion within Play.