Researching, working, helping your community, etc.

Basically think of what the majority of people consider "fun" and/or "relaxing": watching sports, movies, TV series, listening to music, going to parties, hiking, reading a book, etc.

I'd define "active" as not doing things most people consider "fun" and/or "relaxing".

That definition makes an odd dichotomy between "turn-off-your-brain" style consumption on the "passive" side and necessary but mostly unrewarding chores on the "active" side.

Where would creativity or curiosity fit in that definition?

> I'd define "active" as not doing things most people consider "fun" and/or "relaxing".

I don't find that definition very intuitive.

Better definition would be doing things that have lasting positive effects. (on themselves and / or society)

In this regard, most people are active though do not have means to be active on global scale.

In this definition, limited "passive" entertainment and consumption count as long as they bring long term positive results.

If you consider hunter-gatherer societies, people were probably a lot more active by your definition than people are now.

    > I'd define "active" as not doing things most people consider "fun" and/or "relaxing".

People do crave meaning and self-actualization in their lives, it is the top of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs. For some that means watching sports on cable TV, that is "active" to them. Who are we to judge?