How to Interpret Idleness - Essay Example

18 April How to Interpret Idleness Not so much a self-help book, How To Be Idle by Tom Hodgkinson is more ofa social commentary concerning the history of the work ethic of western civilization. It is a history of how Northern Europe and American society has gotten to the point of being overworked, of ill-health, bored, and lonely. Although from the onset it may seem that Hodgkinson is trying to tell people to just sit around and do nothing all day, he is actually attempting to show people the absurdness of never doing nothing. Most people would probably agree with this statement and hold a belief that society would benefit from taking itself less seriously. Individual benefits can easily come from having an early evening drink, meditating, and rambling about aimlessly. While societal benefits may be more easily found in savoring the mid-day meal, leisurely naps, and conversing with people. Though touting the benefits of alcohol may start rumors of alcoholism, it can have benefits physically and figuratively. The evening drink marks the end of the work day. All the frustration, endless reports, and endless traffic now become a distant memory against the backdrop of cheerful conversation and the promise of a relaxing evening. Hodgkinson likens this to a transformation into Buddhism, where thoughts of past or future cease and only the present remains. He paints the picture rather well that it is at this time that people become their “own master's once more” broken free from the chains of “wage slavery” (113). It is true that there are those who would take this evening drink and continue into a stupor, but that would be missing the point. The point is to become reinvigorated, not comatose. Achieving a balance of working hard while still pursuing other interests in life including daydreaming is important for people if the goal is quality of life. Hodgkinson suggests using general moments of idleness to meditate, or simply day dream such as waiting for a friend, or bus or while being stuck in a traffic jam (228) . Meditation is world renown as being a soothing exercise to de-stress, and clear one's mind. This helps people to realign themselves with what is really important in life and releases them from that feeling of bondage that the modern trappings of consumerism and debt can have. Some promise that alternative lifestyles will help to free oneself from the feeling of bondage, but consequently they only offer an “alternative set of rules” that have their own complications (Hodgkinson 228). Of course, it is difficult to ignore the honking of cars and the endless dribble of half heard conversations, but it is achievable and certainly admirable in the attempt. Walking around aimlessly was once the sole right of the elderly, but no longer. Granted it is not a requirement to be without a destination when rambling, but it is crucial not be fixated on it. Take in the sights. Smell the roses, so to speak. Be a loafer. It is amazing what a person can find when not looking. In truth, rambling is another form of meditation. It is meant to gain appreciation and wonder for everyday scenes like a leaf falling from a tree or the way the clouds move with an oncoming storm. Henry Thoreau said that it is easy “to become a slave driver of yourself” (qtd. in Hodgkinson 228). Rambling is a way of unlocking the chains of slavery that we have placed on ourselves much like the evening drink unchains us from the bondage of the work place. There was once a time when the mid-day meal meant something in society other than just an energy boost to employees so they can keep slugging away at the office or factory. It was a chance to get shade from the sun, catch up with friends, and take a leisurely nap. In short, it was a real energy boost. Right now in most western countries it is simply a legal obligation on behalf of the boss. Otherwise, it seems doubtful a person would ever see it. The average Joe looks forward to lunch all morning only to barely get enough time to eat it. The benefits of allowing for an adequate lunch would greatly increase productivity. Not only would people be more focused on work, but they would be happier making them less likely to get ill and miss work. Mediterranean countries have built their workday to include a long siesta. They work hard in the morning, have their siesta consisting of eating and napping, and then get back at it during the late afternoon. Not only are they productive as a society, but they are happier as individuals. Though it may be normal in Spain, napping during the work day actually sounds counter productive. Hodgkinson maintains that this is not so. In fact, many of the world's most productive individuals napped on a regular basis like Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein (Hodgkinson 80). Like lunch alone, it splits up the day nicely and gives a person something to look forward to. Many a time have people heard the benefits of taking a power nap from seminars and yet napping is still looked down upon as an act of laziness. Even so, there are those who disagree. As previously mentioned, Mediterranean countries have a custom of napping and indeed it is actually built into their work day. Workers will go home for lunch where they eat and nap and return to work rested for a short jaunt of labor before starting their evening. This was a common practice in Northern Europe as well before the Industrial Revolution. Relearning the love of conversation is relearning the love of life. To lose oneself in conversation is to lose oneself in the great pleasures of life, kinship, camaraderie, and the joy of being idle with other people. It's where one can learn about the world through the eyes of another. The years after the industrial revolution and the invention of the television have steadily made people become more introverted as a whole and many have lost that human connection. Indeed, people are more comfortable texting and emailing nowadays than they are picking up the phone and dialing or meeting someone face to face. In many ways, humanity has lost the art of conversation in western society. In third world countries the story teller still persists and the closeness of a community endures. This is where people feel that they are all in the same boat rather than in this insatiable rat race with their neighbor as to who has the fastest car. To regain this skill is to regain the very essential of what it means to be human. It's here where people learn to care about one another as brethren. Hodgkinson believes that society is terrorized by the notion that the only way to achieve success is to work hard and toil in industry (1). Though there are some particulars in his advice that would not be practical for the average person, the general idea of slowing down and appreciating the scenery is advice that everyone can benefit from regardless of age, gender, or economic freedoms. For instance, tossing out the alarm clock may not suit everyone, but taking the time to reconnect with the present moment through meditation certainly can. Throughout history, man's daily activities have been varied. A man may work at his trade as a carpenter, then tend the garden, take a nap, perhaps go to the pub after that, and have some meaningless conversation with friends. If man were to revert back to the less hectic more varied life-style of yesteryear, what would he do with all this free time that he now has without 60 hour work weeks? With people having so much more free time, they would likely notice the state of their surroundings. They may notice the slow eroding of freedom, the ever increasing wave of taxes, and the plight of their fellow man. This would probably prompt them into becoming more involved in their local community. That alone would certainly be beneficial to society. References Hodgkinson, Tom. How To Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto. NewYork: Harper Collins, 2005. Print. Read More