THE JOKER

Pick of the Week

Each week, we pick a playing card at random and let its associations guide our thoughts on play.

February 23, 2026

This week’s pick: the Joker.

The Joker, with no number or suit,  represents limitless potential, although we often don't know what do with the card itself. Maybe it's its expansiveness that confuses us.

So... many... options. 

Existing outside of this traditional structure, and with a particular cunning, the Joker exemplifies  unconventional intelligence.

The beauty in unconventional intelligence is that by opening up to even one new possibility, we begin to opens ourselves up to all possibilities. 

What we fantasize about is guidance; magical thinking—beyond the textbook, beyond what’s already been written—is how we solve the unimaginable problems we face today, on both personal and societal levels. 

Play is an entry for the many ways we can access the unconventional intelligence of the Joker. When we play we express our desires beyond what's considered "normal" and experiment with our identities, learning more about ourselves and in turn, others. 

Play is unconventional intelligence. So go play, especially in you’re near snow this week, and allow yourself to trust this.