Have you ever wondered why humanity's most extraordinary minds — mathematicians, politicians, scientists — find interest in games that the rest of humanity might condescendingly call "boring"? There's something paradoxical in this fact. What attracts a large-scale and ambitious mind to an activity that some of us get fined for at the workplace? Let’s find out! And maybe, recognizing some similarity with them, we'll finally allow ourselves to feel fewer pangs of conscience for a 10-minute Solitaire break during work hours (by the way, it takes 5 minutes to read this article).
Firstly, smart people who constantly make new, and sometimes global, decisions rest in predictability. Adrenaline or excitement get as tired of us as we get of them. Simple games, whether Sudoku, Solitaire, or even crosswords, provide something rarely found in life: consistent rules — clear outcomes. In a world full of unpredictability, isn't it wonderful to find a bit of consolation in filling squares with numbers or logically sorting cards?
Secondly, one can't help suspecting a dose of intellectual snobbery in this hobby. When smart people proudly declare their love for "boring" games, there’s a certain hidden implication. Aren't they essentially saying: "My unique mind is so cleverly constructed that I find stimulation where you, my less intelligent fellow Earthlings, see only monotony"? (if I went too far here — nothing personal!) These same people derive genuine pleasure from meticulously solving equations — a pleasure that most of us reluctantly squeeze out in rare moments like a surprise at a birthday or winning the lottery.
Finally, these exceptional braggarts can be suspected of a special subtle form of escapism. Decent people immerse themselves in fantastic worlds of video games or the incoherent abysses of social media to successfully escape reality. Meanwhile, intellectuals disguise their escapism in numbers, logic, and puzzles. Because if the brain is occupied solving something deeply insignificant, it can't ponder life's existential crises, right?
But here's the secret sauce: these so-called boring games are their mental gyms. Intellectuals seek new challenges for the mind disguised as rest. To an outsider, a Sudoku puzzle may seem like tedious grid-filling, but for a mathematician, it's a true dance of logic. Solitaire isn’t just sorting cards — it's a strategic ballet requiring foresight and patience — qualities most intellectuals value.
Historical figures weren't immune to this disease: French President Charles de Gaulle was famous for his dedication to Solitaire. He regularly played it, using the game as a way to clear his mind and thoughtfully approach large-scale decisions. For de Gaulle, Solitaire wasn't just a way to pass time, which he likely didn't have in abundance. Rather, it was a ritual of thoughtful contemplation reflecting his cautious but very charismatic approach to leadership, helping him develop multi-step strategies still inaccessible to most contemporaries.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill similarly loved playing Solitaire. Churchill, famed for his resilience and composure during Britain's darkest hours of World War II, found brief respite and clarity in the repetitive nature of the game. Playing Solitaire provided him moments of solitude and contemplation, necessary for keeping strong nerves (we can all understand him here!) and making clear decisions that he's remembered for.
And let's not forget the boring but inevitable mechanics of consciousness and subconsciousness. While playing a game, where the brain is occupied solving a clear and by no means vital task on which it is concentrated, it effectively unloads from chaotic thoughts. Emotions calm down because you simply need to think about the next move! "OK, the goal is clear, boss!" the brain says, freeing up a huge amount of resources previously occupied by those very "garbage" thoughts. And voilà — nervousness disappears, mental tension drops, and insightful decisions become more obvious.
So next time you see a person deeply immersed in a seemingly tedious game, remember: oh no! Underneath that shell of boredom hides a magnificently sharp mind savoring every ounce of predictability, logic, and intellectual satisfaction.
Come and play your smart and relaxing Solitaire gamе!
