> Imaginary friends are a common—and normal—manifestation for many kids
I never had any imaginary friends. Even when other kids had fantastic expectations in the world, like asking a teacher to build a swimming pool, I was very sceptical on how will get permission and a budget for that. For me, toy cars were toys. I liked to make then run down a slope, but never tough they were real.
> what is less understood is what prompts children to create these personas or why some kids invent them and others don’t
I struggle to understand other behaviours too. When all the children were screaming in the theatre to the good guy "the bad guy is at your back!", I could not understand why the other children were screaming at the actor. He is an actor in the play, of course, he knows where the bad guy is and what is going to happen next. I felt slightly second-hand embarrassment.
> One suggested that relationships with invisible beings fulfill a child’s need for friendship and are more common among firstborn or only children.
I saw all these "imaginary friends" in movies as an American thing. Like Big Foot, I saw imaginary friends as a storytelling device, not as something real. I was surprised when I read that is a real thing, not just part of movies. But, when I grew up, most families were at least two children. So, maybe there was not much space for imaginary friends.
> it can be hard to fathom a day when the imaginary characters who’ve been populating their lives for so long simply cease to exist.
And this is for me the final irony, I continue having fun when I go to work. I will go with some weird clothing or I will draw characters from books with interesting quotes in meeting rooms. For me, there is not that strong separation between being a child and being an adult. I was responsible as a child, taking care of myself and the people around me. And, I am playful and have fun as an adult, and - inside the limits of what makes sense - I try to engage my colleagues and I make new friends all the time that I have been lucky enough to keep after moving jobs and countries.
> When all the children were screaming in the theatre to the good guy "the bad guy is at your back!", I could not understand why the other children were screaming at the actor.
I used to do that too, but now I find it much more fun to let go and completely engage in the plot, including feeling what protagonist feels, verbal reactions, etc. This makes good drama much better, as the director is anyway trying their best to make you feel like the actor on screen -- so why not listen? :) Watching TV with friends becomes more enjoyable too!
I always thought this was the default way of watching TV shows, which is why I was surprised as an adult by many people seeming detached from what they're watching and unable to immerse themselves in the plot.
> Watching TV with friends becomes more enjoyable too!
My experience is the opposite. Unless those friends are also going all-in like me, watching anything that has even a smudge of a plot becomes irritating very quickly, as people around me keep breaking the immersion. For many of the TV shows and movies I watch, I try to at least get the first watch alone, so that I can enjoy the full experience.
You're right on with the latter, I guess this behavior is only with my close friends (when we all go over-the-top all in) or with my SO (where our reactions add to each other's fun?).
Given the immense hours most people consume TV, they would only be reducing my own enjoyment if they detach.
I never had any imaginary friends. Even when other kids had fantastic expectations in the world, like asking a teacher to build a swimming pool, I was very sceptical on how will get permission and a budget for that. For me, toy cars were toys. I liked to make then run down a slope, but never tough they were real.
> what is less understood is what prompts children to create these personas or why some kids invent them and others don’t
I struggle to understand other behaviours too. When all the children were screaming in the theatre to the good guy "the bad guy is at your back!", I could not understand why the other children were screaming at the actor. He is an actor in the play, of course, he knows where the bad guy is and what is going to happen next. I felt slightly second-hand embarrassment.
> One suggested that relationships with invisible beings fulfill a child’s need for friendship and are more common among firstborn or only children.
I saw all these "imaginary friends" in movies as an American thing. Like Big Foot, I saw imaginary friends as a storytelling device, not as something real. I was surprised when I read that is a real thing, not just part of movies. But, when I grew up, most families were at least two children. So, maybe there was not much space for imaginary friends.
> it can be hard to fathom a day when the imaginary characters who’ve been populating their lives for so long simply cease to exist.
And this is for me the final irony, I continue having fun when I go to work. I will go with some weird clothing or I will draw characters from books with interesting quotes in meeting rooms. For me, there is not that strong separation between being a child and being an adult. I was responsible as a child, taking care of myself and the people around me. And, I am playful and have fun as an adult, and - inside the limits of what makes sense - I try to engage my colleagues and I make new friends all the time that I have been lucky enough to keep after moving jobs and countries.