The Fun Question

David Thomas
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What is fun? What are the different ways people have fun? How can you have more fun? THE FUN QUESTION? explores the art and science, the sociology and psychology, the design and practice of all things fun. This is a show about the strange and powerful ways people engage in a life of meaning, play and fun. Come have fun with Dr. David Thomas, the professor of fun, as he explores, tests, and teases out playful ideas and experiences from a roster of experts, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and playmakers.

  1. 1d ago

    Alistair Aitcheson - Clowning

    Get silly with clown Alistair Aitcheson as he expands what’s possible in audience-centric theater. Dig into why clowns can feel both joyful and unsettling, and how curiosity, audience trust, and failure turn a show into a shared act of play. In this episode, Alistair shares how clown training reshaped his interactive work, focusing on his show My Date with Pierce Brosnan, fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  The conversation also explores how clowning overlaps with drag, how audience participation becomes safer when the performer takes the risk, and why “every bug is a feature” might be the best clowning principle of all. Key topics Why clown makeup can be uncanny, especially when it exaggerates the mouth and breaks normal facial expectationsAlistair traces his path from making video games as a teenager to building interactive theatre experiencesHow clown training helped solve a design problem by teaching him how to connect directly with audiences and remove the “fourth wall”Why the clown should be the most outrageous person in the room so that the audience feels safe to take risksCompare clowning and drag as related forms that share curiosity, theatrical exaggeration, and a challenge to social normsHow the clown sees the world as a blank slate, asking what objects are for and how they might be played with instead of assumedClowning and software bugs are connected because failure creates surprises, and surprises are where the real magic happens Resoruces Alistair’s website https://www.alistairaitcheson.com/ My Date with Pierce Brosnan https://mydatewith.show/ Edinburgh Fringe Festival https://www.edfringe.com/ More on clown makeup https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/gallery-london-houses-dozens-clown-egg-portraits-180968914/ Coulrophobia - Fear of Clowns https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21835-coulrophobia-fear-of-clowns Holly Stoppit https://www.hollystoppit.com/

  2. Aug 5

    Lara Pearson - Burning Man

    If you spend 20 years going to Burning Man, you develop a perspective on this massive Labor Day spectacle.  In this episode, Lara Pearson shares her insights into what keeps this extraordinary festival fun, alive, meaningful, and continually inspiring. Key topics The evolution of Burning Man from 35,000 to 70,000+ participants and its increasing scale of art and fire displaysThe core principles that maintain its community-focused, leave-no-trace philosophyThe dynamic relationship between play, ritual, and the sacred at Burning ManHow Burning Man fosters genuine human connections amidst harsh desert conditionsThe influence of regional burns and decompression events in spreading the culturePractical insights on experiencing Burning Man virtually and preparing for the adventureThe role of brand protection and community governance in safeguarding the event's ethosPersonal stories of transformative moments, including iconic art cars and temple releasesHow the principles of Burning Man can inspire civic engagement and community in everyday life Resources Brand Geek - Laura’s law firm https://brandgeek.net/ Burning Man 10 Principles - The guiding ideas of the festival https://burningman.org/about-us/10-principles/ Burning Man Survival Guide https://survival.burningman.org/ Fun Survey  - An ongoing study of how peolpe play and have fun, sponsored by The Fun Question https://forms.gle/V3ZQqYie9BsMd5iF6

  3. Jul 29

    Mark Brudenell - Silent Disco

    Discover the surprising social and psychological effects of silent discos, from creating safe spaces for uninhibited dancing to fostering unexpected connections in a world obsessed with loud music. DJ and silent disco owner Mark Brudenell discusses how headphones can enhance personal expression and social bonding, challenging our assumptions about typical nightlife. Key Topics The core appeal of silent disco: freedom, ambiguity, and choiceHow silent disco creates a safe space for uninhibited dancingThe social magic: connecting strangers through shared music channelsThe culture of headphone LEDs and their role in social signalingThe psychology behind feeling more free and intimate with headphonesPractical uses: silent discos at festivals, weddings, and corporate eventsThe future of silent disco, including potential renaissance and cultural shiftsTWhy headphones reduce social anxiety and encourage boldnessHow silent discos challenge traditional notions of community and personal spacePrankster moments and social experiments in silent disco settings Resources Totens, a town in England https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totnes Playposium https://www.playposium.com/ Emile Durkheim's Collective Effervescence - Explore social theories related to communal joy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_effervescence

  4. Jul 22

    Lisa and David Spira - Escape Rooms

    Dive into the immersive world of escape rooms with experts David and Lisa Spira as they explore what makes these experiences captivating, from embodied storytelling to innovative design. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the genre, discover why escape rooms continue to thrill and inspire. Key Topics: Origins of escape roomsThe core of a good escape room: embodied story and player immersionShift from lock-and-key to creative narrative-driven experiencesThe importance of collaboration over competition in escape room designThe blending of immersive theater, video games, and storytelling techniquesRegional variations and genre classifications within escape roomsElements of quality: set design, signposting, player onboarding, and Chekhov's propsThe role of time constraints and adaptive difficulty for player retentionThe appeal of escape rooms: fantasy adventure, social bonding, and real-world adventurePractical tips for newcomers: how to choose the right escape room and have a memorable experience Resources: Room Escape Artists https://roomescapeartist.com/ The Reality Escape Convention (Recon) https://realityescapecon.com/ Morty App https://morty.app/ Live Cinema: Zone 51 https://livecinema.fr/en/#/ Top Escape Rooms Project https://terpeca.com/2025/ Lisa and David on Marriage Therapy Radio https://marriagetherapyradio.com/2026/01/27/ep-409-no-one-wins-alone-lessons-in-partnership-from-escape-room-experts-david-and-lisa-spira/ Chekhov's gun https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov%27s_gun

  5. Jul 16

    Paul Hamann - Baseball Parks

    What makes baseball parks special? Hear it from the man who has visited every major league park in America and hundreds of other parks as well. Step up to the plate with Paul Hamann, an avid fan, author, and expert on ballparks. Discover the stories, features, and cultural elements that make these parks special and how they can inspire you to have even more fun with the sport of baseball. Main Topics: Why baseball parks are called parks instead of stadiumsPaul's personal quest to visit all major league and minor league ballparksWhat makes a ballpark memorable: architecture, location, stories, and communityThe importance of place in creating fun and meaningful sports experiencesFeatures that define great ballparks: views, history, unique design elementsThe potential for sports stadiums to borrow storytelling and heritage strategies from baseballThe debate: spectacle versus tradition in sports venues Resources & Links: Paul’s Ballparks - A Substack documenting Paul’s views and reviews of baseball parks https://paulsballparks.substack.com/ Fenway Park — Iconic stadium with the Green Monster https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark Target Field — Example of modern stadium design blending tradition and fun https://www.mlb.com/twins/ballpark Banana Ball — A new world of entertaining of baseball https://thesavannahbananas.com/ Amy Mann's Super Ball — Paul’s walk-up song  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuJB-P9TuWE&t=5s

  6. Jul 1

    Laurie Singer - Recreational Therapy

    Laurie Singer explains how recreation therapy taps into the innate human need to play, offering healing, joy, and connection regardless of age or ability. Can you have a full life without play? Find out how she connects the dots between well-being and fun! Summary • Laurie explains recreation therapy as a legitimate modality aligning with clinical outcomes • Success stories of recreation helping individuals with severe injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, regain hope and purpose • The vital role of recreation in mental health, reducing stress, and strengthening human connections • Addressing barriers, including societal perceptions, lack of accessibility, and personal constraints • The importance of integrating universal design in outdoor and recreational spaces • Challenging the notion of leisure as something earned, emphasizing recreation as a fundamental human right Resources & Links Laurie Singer Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-singerctrs/ High Fives - Organization helping injured adventurers return to activity https://highfives.org/ Universal Design in Recreation - Principles for Inclusive Outdoor Spaces https://universaldesign.org/ American Disabilities Act (ADA) - Accessibility legislation and guidelines https://www.ada.gov/

  7. Jun 19

    Patti Cryer - Noticing

    Explore the simple yet profound act of noticing with Patti Cryer, yoga therapist, joy seeker, storyteller, people gatherer, life observer, and sharer of small moments of attention and delight. Discover how collecting the small details around you can become a playful practice that enhances well-being, mindfulness, and connection. Resources & Links Patti Cryer on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patti.cryer/ The Art of Noticing, by Rob Walker https://draw-down.com/products/the-art-of-noticing Kama: The Joy and Pleasure of Life – Sanskrit concept about finding joy in everyday moments https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama

  8. Jun 16

    Robin Schwartzman & Tom Loftus - Mini Golf

    Discover why mini golf isn’t just a casual pastime but a vibrant culture full of design, storytelling, and community. Robin Schwartzman and Tom Loftus, aka Mr. T and the Pink Putter, share their love for the game that combines whimsy, nostalgia, and strategic play—bringing light to its accessibility and magic. Resources & Links Robin Schwartzmann & Tom Loftus: A Couple of Puts - https://acoupleofputts.com/ Puttcast - https://acoupleofputts.com/puttcast/ A Couple of Putts Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coupleputts/ A Couple of Putts on Atlas Obscura - https://www.atlasobscura.com/itineraries/unique-mini-golf-courses-world-tour A Couple of Putts on Holey Moley - https://acoupleofputts.com/2019/08/30/even-the-losers/ A Couple of Putts Mini Golf Design - https://www.minigolfdesigners.com/ Putt-Putt Golf: A Historic Mini Golf Brand - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putt-Putt_Fun_Center

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About

What is fun? What are the different ways people have fun? How can you have more fun? THE FUN QUESTION? explores the art and science, the sociology and psychology, the design and practice of all things fun. This is a show about the strange and powerful ways people engage in a life of meaning, play and fun. Come have fun with Dr. David Thomas, the professor of fun, as he explores, tests, and teases out playful ideas and experiences from a roster of experts, adventurers, entrepreneurs, and playmakers.

Information

  • Creator
    David Thomas
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 David Thomas