Faulheit

Today, as full employment is considered the pinnacle of societal aspirations, and busyness and breathless "staying on the ball" are in vogue even after work, it seems that everyone must justify themselves if they simply want to twiddle their thumbs on the weekend. In antiquity, having leisure was regarded as an ideal, and even the Middle Ages showed some leniency towards the idle. It was only in modern times that a decisive shift occurred: belief in progress and a desire for change caused leisure to lose its innocence, turning it into a parasitic existence. However, for some time now, the idea of deceleration has begun to gain acceptance again. Not only the Oblomovs of literature may hope for secret sympathies, but also those who refuse to engage in the general busyness. And yet, it hardly ever seems that, in light of the ubiquitous leisure activities...