Constraints and Freedom

Games are an expression of freedom.

Paradoxically, people need boundaries to play. Consider soccer.

Soccer requires little investment. All you need is a ball, feet, and a couple of sticks for the goal. Some structure goes a long way in making the game more fun, though.

Add a net and the vertical dimension of a shot is constrained—scoring is a little tougher. Add a penalty box and there’s a new mechanism for scoring if the game ends up tied. Add the offsides rule and the challenge of getting the ball down the field, past a defender, explodes.

Each of these constraints makes the game better.

In the same way, law and code can make life better by constraining behavior and data. But we’re so used to bemoaning limitations that we fail to recognize their benefits. Instead, we should search for the places where behavior and data are wholly unbounded—where life could be made more fun with thoughtful constraint.

Games are everywhere, if we look. Grab a ball, grab some sticks, put up a net and let’s go.