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> What surprises me is that almost always these people don't use their free time to do something productive Relatable. I am at a job currently where I can ge

> What surprises me is that almost always these people don't use their free time to do something productive Relatable. I am at a job currently where I can get past by working 3 hours a day. But what do I do with rest of time...well not much. And I felt the same way during Covid when WFH started. If you had told me a month prior to that that I'll be able to save 3 hours extra every day from mindless commute, in office chatter etc I'd have told you about my grand plans of how I'd make the best use of those 3 hours taking that course I have been meaning to take or reading that book that's lying unread. BUT when I did have those extra 3 hours, I didn't really do much of it. I guess it's some version of Murphy's law - aimless surfing expands to take the time available for it? Not sure.

ghaff 4y ago
Parkinson's Law actually--although the original version was a little different. (Expansion of British Admiralty staff even as the navy was shrinking.)
bee_rider 4y ago
We're very social animals, I wonder if the aimless surfing is the "interact with people" instinct misfiring. I've noticed that when I have a choice, the tasks that I pick first are the ones that somebody else will see the results of. It'd be interesting to hear the experience of a couple friends who'd taken a couple months off and worked together on a project. I bet they'd be pretty productive. Although it would be hard to coordinate.
- Viliam1234 4y ago
  I guess people are different. I know a few people who are extremely productive and do not seem like they need someone to discuss it with. But for me, it is exactly as you describe. Taking a few months off and working together with a friend seems like a perfect plan. I wonder if this might be related to ADHD. I mean, difficulty to focus on the task, unless there is someone else who you know will want to see the results.

ghaff 4y ago

Parkinson's Law actually--although the original version was a little different. (Expansion of British Admiralty staff even as the navy was shrinking.)

bee_rider 4y ago

We're very social animals, I wonder if the aimless surfing is the "interact with people" instinct misfiring. I've noticed that when I have a choice, the tasks that I pick first are the ones that somebody else will see the results of. It'd be interesting to hear the experience of a couple friends who'd taken a couple months off and worked together on a project. I bet they'd be pretty productive. Although it would be hard to coordinate.

Viliam1234 4y ago
I guess people are different. I know a few people who are extremely productive and do not seem like they need someone to discuss it with. But for me, it is exactly as you describe. Taking a few months off and working together with a friend seems like a perfect plan. I wonder if this might be related to ADHD. I mean, difficulty to focus on the task, unless there is someone else who you know will want to see the results.