My illuminating friend Arc-lamp asked today, what makes a good hobby? or what’s a good hobby? or something like that.
I’m not sure, so, as is my habit and my style I’ll explore a number of non sequitors disguised as aphorisms.
Looking at Instagram does not seem like a good hobby because it makes me feel bad when I do it. It’s a unique mash of envy, material and otherwise, bad news on a global scale, and comedy that, while funny, actively melts my brain. I can feel the grey matter wetting my ears with each stroke of the thumb.
What’s more, it is an unproductive act. I simply consume and am in turn distorted by that consumption. Even in earlier days when I was more active on instagram, the work being shared felt hollow, and the metrics for its success, felt at best meaningless and at worst profane.
I’m not sure, so, as is my habit and my style I’ll explore a number of non sequitors disguised as aphorisms.
Looking at Instagram does not seem like a good hobby because it makes me feel bad when I do it. It’s a unique mash of envy, material and otherwise, bad news on a global scale, and comedy that, while funny, actively melts my brain. I can feel the grey matter wetting my ears with each stroke of the thumb.
What’s more, it is an unproductive act. I simply consume and am in turn distorted by that consumption. Even in earlier days when I was more active on instagram, the work being shared felt hollow, and the metrics for its success, felt at best meaningless and at worst profane.
What’s the opposite of Instagram?
...Repairing your father-in-laws sweater.
It’s a worthy hobby, darning. It not only saves garments and hosieries but allows them to transcend the mundane into the favorite. A visible repair is as clear sign of love as I can think of. This garment was too good to throw away, either that or I’m too poor and too clever to throw it away regardless of its goodness.
Cooking and spending time with dogs are good hobbies, writing too, but what sort of writing? Writing short stories and novels casts a rather long shadow across the likes of M- USH / OO / * s.
Something I like about darning, particularly socks, is that nobody really sees the repairs, or at least I’m not taking credit for them all the time. M*s feel somewhat like that; it’s a lot of good writing done for a very small audience for not very much credit at all. Shouldn’t I like it more, then?
Something about it not producing anything makes it feel mealy. Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s easy for me.
Something I like about darning, particularly socks, is that nobody really sees the repairs, or at least I’m not taking credit for them all the time. M*s feel somewhat like that; it’s a lot of good writing done for a very small audience for not very much credit at all. Shouldn’t I like it more, then?
Something about it not producing anything makes it feel mealy. Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s easy for me.
Bozo.
