> the act of making copies of our DNA might be a great example of playful work

That's an interesting idea, but I don't buy it. I think playfulness requires a brain.

How would you distinguish "playful" chemistry from "serious work" chemistry?

I know what you're saying but I think we may have lost the plot here.

The original link was about finding meaning after all, right?

Yes, but the comment I was originally responding to was that “we are here on earth to fart around”.