Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant than ever

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by sharadov on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @07:06PM (#24138132)

It's unfortunate that passive entertainment is all that we crave, people in general have become "lazy", they simply don't want to put the effort in doing anything "active" > sports, art, music. And I disagree, you can pick a new sport, prior to the pandemic I worked out at the gym and played racquetball. Now I work out at home with kettle bells and resistance bands. Picked up mountain biking and tennis, which are "socially distanced" sports. You can learn a musical instrument, cook, bake, paint, ride a motorcycle, kayak, take pictures, no one is stopping you.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by mc32 on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @07:16PM (#24138205)

Yes and no. Kayaking needs transport to a body of water. Biking is okay, but some people find it hard to breathe with a mask on while biking. Musical instruments work if you have a private residence and already know how to play. If you don't many people prefer learning from a tutor.

Of course there are some things we can do by ourselves, but not everyone is made that way. Lots and lots of people would rather while time away. "Dumb" by Nirvana captures this pretty well.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by cpursley on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @08:24PM (#24138714)

Good grief, people. If you're wearing a mask while on a bike (distant from people) you're doing it wrong.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by mc32 on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @09:34PM (#24139121)

In some jurisdictions it's mandatory to wear a mask when out in public. A lot of the definitions are wishy washy (medically approved, for example), is a national forest a "public space"? technically, yes...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by eckza on Thursday August 13, 2020 @12:08AM (#24139857)

Austin, Texas. One of "the worst hotspots".

Can confirm that not one soul has hassled any of us for riding our bikes in the woods with our masks off.

Were it not for bicycle motocross, I think I would have jumped in front of a bus by now. Seeing my friends in the woods is one of the only things keeping me sane.

I cannot recommend cycling highly enough; not just as a pandemic activity, but as a way of life.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by thequux on Thursday August 13, 2020 @04:52AM (#24141261)

I live in Gent, Belgium, which has more bike traffic than car traffic on any given day. Biking here is treated as a way of life. I've been spoken to for biking without a mask, even though I was not in a heavily populated area (I was riding along a canal outside of the city, and was accosted by a police officer riding in the opposite direction).

But even so, so what? The mask isn't going to let me ride as vigorously as I normally would, but I can still get out into nature and enjoy some exercise and new scenery.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by claudeganon on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @09:26PM (#24139076)

I don’t think this is true at all. I often wear a mask when it’s not entirely necessary, just to be on the safe side in case something happens or I encounter someone unexpectedly.

Sure, I’ll almost always be fine in these circumstances, but the “cost” of wearing a mask is really nothing compared to the protection afforded me in the event of the unforeseen.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Bertrand Russell's argument for idleness is more relevant... by _underfl0w_ on Thursday August 13, 2020 @02:49AM (#24140618)

Absolutely cannot agree enough with this sentiment and I do the same out of what seems like basic cautionary instinct, though the sheer quantity of people (perhaps a loudly vocal minority) who seem to consider the particularly minor inconvenience of wearing a mask to be too high of a "cost" continues to surprise me.

[ Parent | on HN ]