One of the benefits of recreational learning is that it can activate healthy social impulses and connections.
Here is one way of looking at it.
When we encounter things that we feel are interesting, exciting and beautiful we often have a strong desire to experience them with others: to capture, collect, "bring" back, show, describe and demonstrate. When we act on this impulse we often create positive social moments, memories and connections. And when we are actively learning new things we increase the likelihood that we will encounter or create something that inspires our inclination to share in this way.
Related Topics: Social Aspects of Learning, Evolutionary Psychology, Cognitive Scouting, Idea Foraging, Brainstorming, Role of intellectual in society, Collaboration