It may seem a small thing, but — at the risk of sounding grandiose — I see it as a sign of a civilization in decline. The idea of leisure, after all, is a hard-won achievement; it presupposes that we have overcome the exigencies of brute survival. Between work and family and social obligations, where are we supposed to find the time? If you’re a jogger, it is no longer enough to cruise around the block; you’re training for the next marathon. When your identity is linked to your hobby — you’re a yogi, a surfer, a rock climber — you’d better be good at it, or else who are you?

Source: New York Times September 29, 2018 18:31 UTC