No that's not what's meant by "surrogate activity," not in the way OP quoting Ted Kaczynski meant to mean. They define anything other than the most basic, like hunting and gathering, as a surrogate activity. So anything that we call a career today where you can work, make progress, and maybe even enjoy is, in their opinion, a "surrogate activity." I suggest reading TK, it's a very cynical worldview, but there is some truth to some of the arguments, and definitely something worth taking seriously.
Re:Does computing make the world better?
by incompatible on Sunday June 21, 2020 @10:11PM
(#23596887)
Human populations are too large today to rely on hunting and gathering, but perhaps you could replace it with subsistence agriculture. But in the modern economy, it shouldn't really require anybody to work more than 10 or 15 hours a week to satisfy basic needs such as food and accommodation: otherwise, they are likely being swindled. So it leaves the problem of what to do for the rest of the time.
Of course there are movements that say science, technology, industrialisation are things to be avoided, such as the Amish or primitivist anarchists.
In any case, once humans have satisfied their basic needs, one way or another, they can then do what they want. Some will want luxuries, like expensive and visible possessions or travel and fancy meals. Others will accumulate wealth to try to obtain power and control over others, or at least financial independence for themselves so they can opt out of employment. Some will just relax and play games all day, or follow other hobbies or sports as they prefer. The latter are what you are classifying as "surrogate activity", but I don't know if there's really any harm in it.