Yes, it's certainly true that tools have a sacred role in the professional practice as they do in the amateur one. In some ways more sacred. I focus on leisure because I believe this is where design and the joys of skilled activity can make the biggest difference. Few people can be professionals in a given craft, but many can be amateurs…
Yes, it's certainly true that tools have a sacred role in the professional practice as they do in the amateur one. In some ways more sacred. I focus on leisure because I believe this is where design and the joys of skilled activity can make the biggest difference. Few people can be professionals in a given craft, but many can be amateurs, and I think we need more amateurs because we need more meaningful leisure in our lives. In more general terms (and in agreement with Aristotle, or my reading of him at least), I think there is an important distinction between the fulfilment of doing something professionally and doing it as leisure. Even if you profession is something you love (as mine is), happiness still requires that we seek fulfilment in things which are not our jobs. Thanks as always for the insightful comment!
Wessie, this is important, the social critic in me thinks: "I focus on leisure because I believe this is where design and the joys of skilled activity can make the biggest difference. Few people can be professionals in a given craft, but many can be amateurs, and I think we need more amateurs because we need more meaningful leisure in our lives." Yes. More on that . . .
Yes, it's certainly true that tools have a sacred role in the professional practice as they do in the amateur one. In some ways more sacred. I focus on leisure because I believe this is where design and the joys of skilled activity can make the biggest difference. Few people can be professionals in a given craft, but many can be amateurs, and I think we need more amateurs because we need more meaningful leisure in our lives. In more general terms (and in agreement with Aristotle, or my reading of him at least), I think there is an important distinction between the fulfilment of doing something professionally and doing it as leisure. Even if you profession is something you love (as mine is), happiness still requires that we seek fulfilment in things which are not our jobs. Thanks as always for the insightful comment!
Wessie, this is important, the social critic in me thinks: "I focus on leisure because I believe this is where design and the joys of skilled activity can make the biggest difference. Few people can be professionals in a given craft, but many can be amateurs, and I think we need more amateurs because we need more meaningful leisure in our lives." Yes. More on that . . .