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Exploring the Intersection of Play and Natural Selection

Among the diverse collections at Cambridge University Library lies a unique artifact: a child’s drawing dubbed “The Battle of the Fruit and Vegetable Soldiers.” This whimsical artwork features a turbaned soldier mounted on a grape facing off against an English dragoon riding a carrot—each fruit imaginatively outfitted with horse heads and stick leg appendages.

This playful drawing is believed to have been created by Francis Darwin, the seventh child of renowned naturalist Charles Darwin, around 1857 when he was approximately 10 years old. The illustration is sketched on the reverse side of a draft page from Darwin’s groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species.” Darwin made use of this particular draft for his children’s artwork, turning it into a canvas for their creativity.

The significance of play in Darwin’s life, both personally and within his family, has been noted by his biographers. The Georgian home where he and Emma raised their ten children was filled with playful equipment such as a rope swing and a movable slide. The surrounding gardens and countryside provided a rich environment for both learning and leisure.

Furthermore, play is intricately tied to Darwin’s theory of natural selection. As discussed in my recent publication, “Kingdom of Play: What Ball-bouncing Octopuses, Belly-flopping Monkeys, and Mud-sliding Elephants Reveal about Life Itself,” the act of play reveals patterns that closely parallel the processes of natural selection.

No Goal, No Direction

Natural selection describes how organisms best suited to their environments survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits to their offspring. It is a process characterized by a lack of direction. Darwin emphasized that it “includes no necessary and universal law of advancement or development.”

Animals engage in play in a similar fashion—without defined objectives. Whether a pony leaping through a field, a dog tugging on a stick, or chimpanzees darting around without aim, the essence of play echoes the undirected nature of survival activities.

Through the lens of natural selection, the evolution of a species reflects adaptability to the environments in which they exist, while play itself is also adaptive and spontaneous. For instance, squirrels navigating obstacles react instinctively, altering their approach as circumstances change.

Moreover, just as natural selection is a continuous process of evolution, play sessions are equally limitless. In playful interactions, participants often decide to cease only when tired or otherwise disinterested, embodying an open-ended approach.

Darwin acknowledged the wastefulness of natural selection, noting that “many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive.” This seemingly extravagant approach can lead to advantageous adaptations over time. Similarly, play appears wasteful; it often diverts resources that could be used for survival tasks. Yet, this very profligacy fosters innovation, possibly leading to improvements in foraging and hunting strategies.

Competing and Cooperating

The “struggle for existence” articulated by Darwin centers largely around competition. However, in the 1860s, Pyotr Kropotkin introduced a novel perspective, asserting that cooperation plays a pivotal role in survival. His studies on animals suggested that those thriving in their environments often do so through mutual aid, concluding that the most successful species were often those that prioritized cooperation.

Modern findings reaffirm Kropotkin’s observations, showcasing extensive cooperation across species. For example, clownfish thrive among anemones, gaining shelter while offering protection and nutrients to their partners, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that enhances survival.

In the realm of play, competition and cooperation coexist. Dogs engaging in a play-fight exhibit competitive behaviors while simultaneously upholding a cooperative dynamic. They often switch roles and signal intentions—responding to sharper bites with playful gestures indicating a desire to continue their game.

Additionally, the instinct for both natural selection and play may incorporate elements of deception. Various organisms possess the ability to mimic others for protection or survival. Similarly, play-fighting allows animals to learn about and practice deception alongside their peers.

To Live Is to Play

Darwin articulated that natural selection yields “endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful.” Just as life thrives through evolution, play brings forth beauty in the natural world, demonstrated by the intricate movements of birds and dolphins.

In 1973, geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky published a thought-provoking essay titled “Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution,” highlighting the centrality of evolutionary processes in understanding biology. Many biologists resonate with this notion, agreeing that life can be defined by its capacity to evolve, underscoring the playful nature of existence.

Thus, considering the myriad connections between natural selection and play, one can argue convincingly that life, at its core, is profoundly playful.

Source
phys.org