Leisure – Madison Stoehr
As discussed by historians like Joe Zade and E.P. Thompson, the advent of clock time has intertwined with societal perceptions of leisure, shaping how individuals allocate their free time. In industrialized settings, clock time became a tool for measuring labor productivity, leading to a distinction between employer’s time and workers’ leisure time. The phrase “time is money” reinforced the idea that every minute should contribute to creating value.
Leisure time faced moral scrutiny, with time-discipline ideologies emerging to discourage idleness and emphasize productivity. The concept of time-thrift reflected the push for efficient time management. The Puritan influence and industrial capitalist systems contributed to associating leisure with moral and economic implications, creating a perception that leisure is a problem that needs remedy.
Leisure’s transformation into a transactional item, where free time is viewed as currency, underscores the commodification of time. The intertwining of leisure and labor classifies certain leisure practices as offensive or wasteful. Over time, these societal perspectives have shifted, with leisure now recognized as essential for a balanced life. However, the historical stigmas associated with leisure, as explored in the Industrial Revolution and present-day work cultures, highlight the complex interplay between clock time, productivity, and the societal value attributed to leisure.
References:
Joe Zade – The Tyranny of Time
E.P Thompson – Time, Work-Discipline, and Industrial Capitalism
