The Leisure in Our Days

It occurred to me at some point within the past few weeks how far we as a society have progressed. Though there have undoubtedly been major advancements in a variety of areas,I'm speaking specifically about our survival (when I refer to "our" survival, I'm speaking of the idea of the "first world").

Leisure was a grand contribution of the 19th Century. For the first time, people could forget about merely surviving and expect free time in their daily life. As technology improved, the idea of "leisure" expanded. What was once the exclusive right of the well to do, began to seep into all levels of society.

With this expansion (and continued scientific advancement), the conceptualization of "leisure" began to shift. Leisure time had always been about seeking out entertainment. This goal slowly morphed. With the emergence of personal entertainment, from phonographs down to computers, the onus of entertainment shifted from something sought to something received. Catered enjoyment is the expectation. Life has become nothing more than a series of distractions. Our needs are largely solved so we strive against boredom. Mr. Cobain said it best in his cultural anthem of the early 90s, "here we are now, entertain us."