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> but it's not a particularly productive pastime > picking up an instrument or spent more time on my drawing skills. As a pastime, I am not sure I see the "pr
by hrktb 7y ago
> but it's not a particularly productive pastime
> picking up an instrument or spent more time on my drawing skills.
As a pastime, I am not sure I see the "productive" part of playing an instrument or drawing. For the instrument part in particular, while any piece has an interpretation part, does it warrant a "productive" label, more than paying a game a specific way ?
Drawing can have a commercial aspect, but then is it a pastime ? (we'd also then have to take pro gaming into account if we go into these length)
- jacquesm 7y agoMaking art is about as productive as it gets. It's also the only thing that we still appreciate many years after the original was created. Playing a game is pure consumption, drawing or making music is pure production.
- LunaSea 7y agoI doubt that hearing "Claire de Lune" being played badly on the piano for the 500th time is more productive or appreciated than a huge game of Civilisation or insane run in some other game. Creativity exists in different forms.
- grenoire 7y agoI don't think practicing piano or performing alone is a creative endeavour unless you are either adding to or mutating the piece you are playing, or are using your piano skills to compose new pieces. "Making" art, as another commentor put it, is the productive action, not studying to make art. The distinction is different for visual arts and music.
- hrktb 7y agoThat would be composing music, which would match building games (or game artifacts for Minecraft or Mario Maker for instance) We get into muddy territories, but playing games (electronic or not) is doing something within rules, that’s not so far from making sounds or pictures with given tools.
- thrower123 7y agoArt and music-playing are strangely fetishized. These activites are placed on a pedestal, I think, largely because they represent a vestige of aristocratic idleness. I don't find anything intrinsically more valuable or praiseworthy in playing an instrument than in shooting freethrows.
- grenoire 7y agoThe comparison I am trying to make is between consuming and producing acts. After all my years of playing video games; my point is that the opportunity costs are higher for playing video games than shooting freethrows.
- spoovy 7y agoLearning to play an instrument requires dedication; thousands of hours of hard work, before you get the payoff. This demonstrates desirable personal qualities like self discipline and willingness to work hard. Skill at playing video games just shows that you play video games a lot.
- sammeboat 7y agoNo matter how "productive" it is, working 16 hours every single day is even more "productive". By working I include any activity that solely exists to improve time spent working such as education.
- swiley 7y agoI've failed classes playing music rather than studying. What's productive to one person is an enjoyable waste of time to another.