Current audiobook is The Man Who Knew Infinity, a biography of S. Ramanujan. Until his genius was recognized, Ramanujna was generally without a job. When he finally found his first patron, he was asked what he wanted. His answer was "leisure."
At this point, the author explains that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "leisure" didn't mean "free time," "time to chill," or anything like that. "Leisure" meant "freedom." But not any kind of freedom; specifically, it meant freedom to pursue something. What Ramanujan requested was a job, a stipend, a scholarship, something that would allow him to live while pursuing his mathematics.
I'm not sure this concept still exists. At least, I doubt it exists in American English. It seems to me that we have 3 types of time: Work, doing nothing, and hobbies. Maybe it's just me, but I think Americans believe one should either be working (defined as something that earns pay) or resting from work (i.e., passively absorbing entertainment or sleeping). We do have hobbies, but those aren't important. They certainly don't rise to the level of a pursuit.
At this point, the author explains that in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "leisure" didn't mean "free time," "time to chill," or anything like that. "Leisure" meant "freedom." But not any kind of freedom; specifically, it meant freedom to pursue something. What Ramanujan requested was a job, a stipend, a scholarship, something that would allow him to live while pursuing his mathematics.
I'm not sure this concept still exists. At least, I doubt it exists in American English. It seems to me that we have 3 types of time: Work, doing nothing, and hobbies. Maybe it's just me, but I think Americans believe one should either be working (defined as something that earns pay) or resting from work (i.e., passively absorbing entertainment or sleeping). We do have hobbies, but those aren't important. They certainly don't rise to the level of a pursuit.
Sadly this is not a concept we brought forward from Europe, nor intend to reinstate as a matter of privilege. I cannot even imagine how many great concepts and soul satisfying creations we lose to such a dimwitted assertion that one must be either useful or not based on wages.
Are we losing our humanity?
Dang... someday you'll have to talk about what makes you pick up these books. I confess this one would have slipped by me. But after reading Stephenson's geek-fest trilogy (Confusion, Quicksilver, System of the World), this sounds like something I'll have to devour myslef.