This may not be exactly what the author is writing about (which is a more about creativity), but I find that Matt Levine's writing is just about the perfect ratio of serious to glib. The playful parts are clever and usually in service of whatever point he's making. Entertaining and relatable without the air of trying too hard.
James Mickens is another example, though he leans toward being a humorist first rather than a Serious Person being a bit playful.
The literature of creativity rakes playfulness very seriously. It is playfulness that creates productive association between two apparently disparate elements. Playfulness evolved in the mammalian brain precisely for the purpose of learning new things.
The author of TFA is right to position it at the beginning of the creative process. When the fun is over, skills, craftsmanship and problem solving need to take over before the final outcome becomes real.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_W2hT-HDY