The Importance of Play and Community (shower thoughts)
Play is vital to human beings. However, there's something even more crucial that often goes unnoticed.
Historically, our ancestors roamed the wild, hunting for sustenance—whether berries or boar—and moved with their tribes seeking better sources of food, water, and shelter. In contrast, today we source our food from supermarkets and largely reside in urban or suburban settings, either with family and friends or alone. Our once nomadic lifestyle has been replaced by semi-permanent dwellings made of stone or metal. Our 'travel' is largely limited to commuting to work or school, living our lives in recurring 5-6 day cycles until the next day of rest.
Despite being surrounded by countless individuals, cities can feel like the loneliest places on Earth. This could be because we constantly see others engaging in social activities, amplifying our sense of isolation. Cities can sometimes feel like high-density, grey zones where we reside in close proximity to others, yet remain surprisingly disconnected from those who live or work mere feet away.
This disconnection underscores the significance of play. We need moments of relaxation and joy to break the monotony of our daily routines—work, sleep, repeat. Those moments of happiness give us more than just a break; they remind us that we don't merely live to pay the bills but work to sustain a meaningful life.
At Sencity, we are dedicated to transforming our surroundings into areas of play and delight. Through interactive designs, we aim to promote enjoyment and positive civic behavior within urban spaces, both public and private. However, our experiences have shown us that play, in isolation, isn't sufficient for true contentment. While we have developed smart waste receptacles and interactive art installations, we've realized that human beings crave more than just play; they desire community and meaningful social interactions.
Observing individuals engage with our products, it's evident that the joy derived isn't solely from the interaction itself, but from shared experiences with others, be they strangers or loved ones. Play becomes a bridge for human connection. Whether it's parents watching their children discover something new or coworkers pausing their busy day to share a novel experience, the communal aspect of play emerges as its most powerful facet. Play, contrary to the stereotype of the isolated gamer, has the power to unite communities in laughter, joy, and mutual experiences. In sharing moments of happiness, the vastness of cities becomes more intimate, warm, and familiar.
Sencity's mission continues to evolve. While we will always prioritize creating delightful interactions, our next phase will focus on fostering human connections. We aim to move beyond singular products to an integrated ecosystem of apps, displays, online platforms, and interactive devices, extending Sencity's unique brand of entertainment across various spaces. By creating a continuous, enriching world, we hope to offer a platform where our community can consistently return for shared experiences. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey.