Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Monday, February 16, 2026
There are certain inherent dangers in using human behavioral terminology to describe the activities of non-human creatures. This is especially true if the word is less than precisely defined in the first place. A great example of this is the word “play”. What’s the connection between requiring Johnny to practice the piano for half an hour so he can learn to play when he’d rather be outside playing baseball or in his room playing a video game instead? Or what’s the connection between individuals sitting down to play a game of chess and the Seahawks and 49ers playing for a divisional title?
An example of this is where Crested Guan are described as playfully chasing each other around in circles for a good hour or so, periodically switching roles with the chaser becoming the chasee. These large gamebirds are believed to be anciently related to the mound builders of Australasia. An arboreal species, they range from Mexico to the southern parts of Venezuela. They are social birds which can be quite loud with their high-pitched calls, although it’s not clear to me whether these vocalizations are given when feeling threatened or when playing. I suppose it could be either.
I like the notion that play should contain a certain amount of randomness; something done simply for the enjoyment it brings. That, of course, might eliminate piano practice and NFL games, but I still like the idea. This means when I am asked if I think God ever plays, I can answer with confidence, “Yes. We call it creation.” Then again, it does appear like creation required more than a heaping cupful of precision. Oh well, I guess I should go outside and _______, and leave the creation business to God.