[music] [applause] Here's my pitch. Five words. Adults need to play more.I learned the hard way, and I don't want that for you. I've burned out multiple times in my career, wasting precious energy holding back some of the most creative and joyful parts of myself to fit in as a serious pants adult. And little did I know that by leaning into play, it would bring me energy.It would inspire others and it would be my life's best work. So, adults need to play more. Say it with me.Adults need to play more. Let's p ...

Core Insights - Hasbro is undergoing a significant transformation under the leadership of CEO Chris Cox and CFO Gina Getter, focusing on reducing complexity and revitalizing its brand portfolio to adapt to changing consumer preferences [6][7][8] - The company is emphasizing its gaming segment, particularly through franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, which are expected to drive substantial revenue growth [29][52] - Hasbro's strategic plan, "Playing to Win," aims to return to its core strengths and broaden its customer base by tapping into the concept of play beyond traditional toys [9][12] Leadership and Strategy - Chris Cox views his role as a CEO as a blend of analytical and storytelling skills, drawing parallels between game design and corporate leadership [1] - Gina Getter's dual role as CFO and COO allows for a cohesive approach to financial and operational decisions, linking every action back to financial outcomes [4][5] - The leadership team is focused on a five-point strategic plan to address the company's challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities [9][42] Financial Performance and Challenges - Hasbro's consumer products revenue has been declining, particularly in toy sales, leading to a need for a strategic rethink [7][11] - The company has reduced its SKU count by approximately 80% to streamline operations and focus on high-impact products [8] - Despite challenges, Hasbro's stock has been gaining ground, and the company continues to prioritize paying dividends while managing debt [50][51] Market Position and Consumer Trends - The toy market remains resilient, with parents prioritizing affordable entertainment for their children even in tougher economic conditions [11] - Hasbro is diversifying its supply chain to reduce dependence on China, aiming to lower this reliance from 50% to around 30% by 2027 [21][22] - The company is leveraging its intellectual property (IP) for licensing opportunities, which has become a significant revenue stream, accounting for about 35% of toy retail sales globally [46][47] Innovation and Future Outlook - Hasbro is investing heavily in video game development, with a focus on in-house projects like "Exodus," which is set in a space-themed universe [37][40] - The company is committed to maintaining the integrity of its gaming franchises while also innovating to attract new players [31][34] - Looking ahead, Hasbro aims to transition from being perceived solely as a toy company to a broader play and gaming company, which is seen as a key growth opportunity [53][54]

Have you ever felt the frustration of being left out of a decision that shaped your life. I can guarantee everyone in this audience has specific needs. You might want to adjust your posture, stretch your legs.You may take comfort in having your own seat, your own spot. You may even want to glance at someone nearby and share a comment. These are all natural impulses to move, to connect, to feel comfortable and secure.They can help give you a sense of belonging. I've been an educational researcher for almost ...

I want you to imagine you are on a beach holiday with your family, spending quality time. There's long stretches of sand that spread out as far as the eye can see. It's amazing. It's beautiful. And you can't argue with your family about which is better, the sunset or the sunrise. You fall asleep every night to the sound of the crashing waves. And you wake up in the morning to the sweet scent of the sea breeze on the air. Time doesn't matter. As you sit back with your feet in the hot sand, sipping a cool, co ...

Child Development & Education - The Lego Foundation reports that over 60% of children globally have less than one hour of unstructured play daily [1] - The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2030, creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability will be the top three skills needed in the workforce [1] - Play strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving [8] - Research from Harvard Center on the Developing Child shows that play builds a stronger executive function, focus, self-control, and emotional regulation [9] The Importance of Play - Play is not a distraction from learning but the foundation of it [1] - Play cultivates creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in children [1][3][4][5][6] - Through play, children rehearse life skills, express themselves, experiment, and learn resilience [6][7][13] - Play is a right, not a reward, and the beginning of learning [13][14] Call to Action - Prioritize unstructured time for children to move, feel, imagine, and express themselves freely [14] - Advocate for play at home, in schools, and in policy rooms [14]

Architectural Design Philosophy - The design aims to create a neighborhood-like environment within the school, blurring the lines between classroom corridors and play areas [1] - The design intentionally avoids a traditional enclosed schoolyard, opting for a space that integrates elements of home, school, and the surrounding environment [1] - The design incorporates "mud play areas" that function like neighborhood squares, encouraging interaction and play [1] - The architect challenges the notion of architecture as providing definitive answers, instead advocating for designs that keep questions and possibilities open [2] - The design promotes a labyrinthine layout, encouraging exploration and discovery, contrasting with the transparent and easily controlled structure of traditional schools [2] Educational Approach - The school emphasizes student independence, confidence, and self-reliance, believing that these qualities contribute to personal growth [1] - The school environment is designed to feel like home, with features like carpeted floors to promote comfort and a sense of belonging [1] - The school acknowledges that forced learning is ineffective, allowing students the freedom to choose their activities and learn at their own pace [2] - The school challenges the traditional model of education, which it argues has historically focused on standardization and separation [2] - The school views play as the primary occupation of children, integrating it into the learning environment [2]

[Music] Did you know your brain makes a sound. Nope. Mine goes ooh.It's what happens when curiosity peaks. When something clicks, when you stumble upon a surprising link, it's what Taylor Swift also does to us with her Easter eggs. Makes us all go ooh and connect the dots.Wow, cold. For me, my whole life has been a series of these oo and chaotic, yes, but meaningful. For most people, paths look like this.A straight line, one lane. For me, they mostly look like this. Hold on.Sorry. That's the insides of my b ...

The Power and Importance of Theater - Theater is a human instinct and a powerful tool for understanding the world [2][4][8][29] - Theater provides a safe space for experimentation with identity, relationships, and behaviors, especially for young people [16][17][18] - Theater education can be transformative, fostering mental health, social skills, and personal growth [15][25][27][28] The Economic Impact of Theater - For every $1 spent on the arts, $10 are spent downstream, boosting the economy [10] - The creative sector accounts for 77% of California's economy [11] - California's arts sector generates $260 billion and supports 800000 jobs [11] - Every 100 jobs in the arts support 180 jobs in other sectors [11] Accessibility and the Future of Theater - Theater should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay [12] - Live, three-dimensional theater will endure even as other forms of storytelling evolve [3] - Engagement with the arts has significant benefits for brain development in two-year-olds, workplace well-being, and quality of life at the end of life [9]

Human Behavior & Societal Trends - A century ago, humans prioritized optimization and efficiency, leading to a decline in play [1] - In the early 21st century, adults laughed an average of 17 times a day, but by 2100, this decreased to 3, resulting in "laughter deficiency syndrome" being declared in 2098 [1] - Average working hours increased by 62%, and daily screen time exceeded 10 hours per capita, while playtime and creativity declined [1] - Workplace burnout was recognized as an occupational phenomenon by the World Health Organization in 2019, with a lack of novelty and play cited as contributing factors [1] The Importance of Play - Play is described as voluntary, separate from routine, governed by its own rules, and traditionally "utterly useless," yet it forms the basis of culture, religion, poetry, law, and science [1] - Play builds empathy, emotional resilience, and character, and studies suggest that children and adults deprived of play may experience social and emotional stunting, depression, burnout, and disconnection [4] - Play is the birthplace of culture and a "magic circle" where disbelief is suspended, and empathy, community, excitement, and creativity are explored [1] - Play optimizes the human experience by fostering mystery, complexity, creativity, and empathy [12] AI & Play - AI agents playing hide and seek developed emergent strategies, replicating cycles of innovation seen in human play [6] - The document suggests that AI may surpass humans in speed, logical thinking, and creative problem-solving, but may lack the human capacity for play [1] - The document proposes that AI could benefit from engaging in play with humans to suspend disbelief and find joy [11]

Main Idea - The speech advocates for incorporating play into adult life as a crucial element for well-being and problem-solving, suggesting it's not just a childhood activity but a biological necessity [1][2][7][8] - It challenges the cultural belief that seriousness is the primary solution to problems, proposing that play can be a powerful tool for healing and resilience [2][3] Definition and Characteristics of Play - Play is defined as an activity that appears purposeless but is vital, voluntary, inherently attractive, creates a different relationship with time, diminishes self-consciousness, loves the unexpected, and generates a desire for continuation [8][9][10][11][12] Benefits of Play - Regular play can significantly lower stress levels and promote healthy coping mechanisms in adults [16] - Play can strengthen relationships and improve emotional well-being, as demonstrated in studies with adults managing type 1 diabetes [16][17] - Play triggers the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in lab mice, a molecule that promotes brain growth, especially in areas responsible for long-term memory and motor control [17] Creating Environments for Play - Designing physical and psychological spaces that invite playfulness is essential for fostering a culture where play can naturally emerge [20] - Modeling playfulness, giving explicit permission, and removing time pressure can help create psychological safety and encourage play [21][22][23] Collective Play - Collective play, such as laughing together, can synchronize nervous systems and create safety, while communities playing together build resilience [19]