"In Praise of Idleness", an essay by Bertrand Russell

[Keynes'UpperLip]

http://libcom.org/files/Bertrand%20Russell%20-%20In%20Praise%20of%20Idleness.pdf

[lizzzi]

Well, I'm not a deep thinker or a philosopher, and I'll admit that I just skimmed it. But ya gotta love, "…happiness and joy of life, instead of frayed nerves, weariness, and dyspepsia." I'll go with that!

[vern]

Great stuff, quoted heavily by Tom Hodgkinson in his books...

[lifejoy]

It is so weird that I often read "Bertrand Russell" but my mind conjures up an image of "Russell Brand".

And then I think, wtf? Haha until I realize my mistake.

[samburger]

I loved this, particularly his argument that education should prepare us for "intelligent" leisure activities so we can use all of our free time wisely. Imagine!

TL;DR version: Bertrand argues that we could reorganize labor and create 4 hour work days for everyone, leaving us free to pursue to happiness and fulfillment with the rest of our day. Everyone who digs science could play scientist in their free times, painters could paint, writers write ("Young writers will not be obliged to draw attention to themselves by sensational pot-boilers").

Early retirement for everyone, basically.

[Orthodox Investor]

I just joined the forum and searched for this essay by Bertrand Russell because he points to ideas that everyone chooses to conveniently ignore. Since he wrote the essay, we've had an additional 80 years of productivity gains, so today's economy is reduced just about nothing but fraud and waste. Who is working on fixing this problem? If the answer is no one, anyone care to get started on it?

[grantmeaname]

we've had an additional 80 years of productivity gains, so today's economy is reduced just about nothing but fraud and waste.

does not follow

[Leisured]

Excellent. Thank you Keynes.

[Wrenchturner]

It is so weird that I often read "Bertrand Russell" but my mind conjures up an image of "Russell Brand".

And then I think, wtf? Haha until I realize my mistake.

I used to get Mel Brooks and Mel Gibson mixed up.