Ooooh there are OPINIONS in this week’s podcast. Opinions on idleness, the Protestant work ethic, capitalism, and the state of the world in general. There are a few facts, too. And possibly we’ve got some stuff wrong, but that’s what having time to think and learn and listen is all about. Which was the point of this episode: the virtue of idleness and time to THINK and write. Enjoy—and remember to write in and let us know what your thoughts are!
Key Takeaways:
[0:55] Vicky and Joe talk about their tiny sheep and the gusts of wind that are about to come.
[04:10] Vicky disagrees that you have to finish reading a book once you’ve committed to it.
[05:40] Vicky also shares that she got 79% on her poetry assignment!
[07:00] Vicky introduces today’s topic. She got this idea from listening to The Slightly Foxed podcast.
[07:50] Did you know where the five hour work week originated?
[09:55] Joe talks about the comment he made on reddit saying, “Do you think people who work hard make more money?”
[12:20] Henry Ford did not introduce the 5-hour work week in any sense for niceness. Vicky shares what the motivation behind it was.
[14:55] There are elements of socialism, capitalism, and all those other things that we can use to build a better economic system.
[16:05] The world is changing and we now need people who are thinking and innovating. That’s not going to come if everybody is too busy.
[16:20] Idleness is not the same as being lazy. Vicky explains why.
[17:30] In 1675, King Charles II banned coffee in England. Why?
[20:30] Vicky likes stuff. But she doesn’t want to buy things that she doesn’t want, need or like.
[21:10] Vicky also shares that she feels guilty doing nothing but being productive doesn’t just mean doing some work.
[22:40] Joe also talks about the things that attack our idle time nowadays with the internet and smartphones.
[23:20] Newer generations have a real discomfort with sitting with their feelings and thoughts and Vicky wonders how much mental health issues come up from it.
[25:30] Not all writing is physical writing. Vicky shares how this relates to your idle time.
[26:25] Joe shares about his thinking time and compares it with Vicky’s.
[27:00] The world does not need robots. It needs thinkers, innovators, weirdos and change makers.
[28:05] Rest is legitimately okay! Vicky has that written down.
[28:45] Vicky shares quotes from Victor Wild who was a big fan of idleness.
[30:10] Laziness is only a misconception from different cultures.
[31:20] Vicky shares the teaser for next week’s episode and her next Write Night!
Mentioned in This Episode:
That's What She Said: Tales of Business Success from Women Just like You by Vicky Fraser & Audiobook
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Mistborn: The Final Empire (Book No. 1) by Brandon Sanderson