Arts & Ideas Idleness
Dec 12, 2025
In a lively discussion, Tom Hodgkinson, editor of The Idler, advocates for leisure as a craft, while Polly Dickson explores doodling as a creative form of idleness. Katrien Devolder introduces concepts like justified effort management in a productivity-driven world. Doctor Gavin Francis connects idleness to health, revealing its role in convalescence. Cultural historian Steve Connor enriches the conversation with historical perspectives, highlighting the philosophical debates surrounding idleness as both a virtue and a societal stigma.
56:38
Idleness Fuels Thinking
- Idleness often produces thought rather than mere inactivity.
- Tom Hodgkinson says lying in bed can fuel ideas and speed later work.
Idleness As A Cultural Label
- 'Idle' is a cultural label, not a biological state.
- Gavin Francis notes nature has no vain or useless parts, so idleness is a human concept.
Poet's Notebooks Turn Into Doodles
- Polly Dickson describes how doodles evolve in poets' notebooks.
- Albert von Chamisso's notebooks shift from rhymes to living, botanical abstract drawings.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Defining Idleness and Guest Introductions
01:25 • 2min
Is Doodling a Form of Idleness?
03:11 • 2min
The Idler Magazine and Leisure as Craft
04:57 • 2min
Historical Idling in Religion and Philosophy
06:30 • 3min
Etymology and Biology of Idleness
09:12 • 2min
Parenting, Energy and the Value of Rest
11:00 • 44sec
Doodle Origins and Literary Archives
11:45 • 4min
Idleness in 19th-Century Literature
15:40 • 5min
Idling Versus Stagnation and Engine Metaphor
20:50 • 2min
Modern Movements: Lying Flat and Anti-Work
22:58 • 2min
Justified Effort Management at Work
25:12 • 2min
Sick Notes, Convalescence and Medical Views
27:13 • 3min
Rest Cure, Gender and The Magic Mountain
30:03 • 3min
Laziness, Class and Social Expectations
32:54 • 2min
Ad break
34:32 • 58sec
Idleness as Virtue or Vice
35:30 • 3min
Clinical Apathy and Medication Ethics
38:00 • 2min
Moral Dimensions: Idle Hands and Digital Distraction
40:14 • 5min
COVID Lockdowns and Creative Idleness
45:15 • 4min
Philosophy, Leisure and the Examined Life
49:12 • 5min
Eastern Traditions, Taoism and Idleness
53:50 • 1min
Doodles Revealed and Creative Traces
54:53 • 41sec
Practical Tips for Christmas Idling
55:34 • 2min
Outro
57:48 • 2min
#54493
Johnson's dictionary
Samuel Johnson
Published in 1755, 'Johnson's Dictionary', officially titled 'A Dictionary of the English Language', was a landmark achievement in lexicography.
Samuel Johnson undertook the massive project single-handedly, taking eight years to compile its definitions and explanations.
The dictionary standardized English spelling and usage, offering clear and comprehensive definitions.
It also included illustrative quotations from a wide range of literary sources, providing context and depth to the entries.
'Johnson's Dictionary' was not only a reference work but also a reflection of 18th-century English culture and thought.
#49253
Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow
Jerome K. Jerome
In 'Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow,' Jerome K. Jerome presents a collection of humorous essays on various aspects of life.
The book explores themes of leisure, contemplation, and the importance of taking time to appreciate the simple things.
Jerome's witty and insightful observations cover topics ranging from the joys of smoking to the challenges of domestic life.
His lighthearted approach and engaging prose make the book a charming and entertaining read.
Published in 1886, it remains a popular example of Victorian-era humor and social commentary.
#32197
Convalescence
Gavin Francis
Gavin Francis's 'Convalescence' explores the experience of recovery from illness, drawing on medical history, literature, and personal anecdotes.
The book examines how different cultures and historical periods have approached the concept of healing and restoration.
Francis reflects on the importance of time, rest, and nature in the process of regaining health.
He considers the psychological and emotional aspects of convalescence, as well as the physical ones.
'Convalescence' offers a thoughtful meditation on the art of getting well and the significance of slowing down in a fast-paced world.
#4094
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
In praise of idleness
and other essays
Bertrand Russell
In this collection of essays, Bertrand Russell critiques the societal emphasis on hard work and argues that the belief in the virtue of labor causes significant harm.
He proposes that if labor were shared equitably, resulting in shorter workdays, it would lead to decreased unemployment and increased human happiness through increased leisure time.
Russell advocates for a four-hour workday, suggesting that this would be sufficient to maintain a comfortable standard of living, allowing more time for leisure and cultural activities.
The book also touches on themes such as pacifism, politics, and the critique of authoritarian regimes and the cult of efficiency.
#371
• Mentioned in 62 episodes
Infinite jest
wit and humor in Italian Renaissance art
Paul Barolsky
In this book, Paul Barolsky examines the role of wit and humor in Italian Renaissance art, providing insights into the artistic and cultural context of the period.
The work delves into how artists of the Renaissance used humor and wit in their creations, reflecting the broader cultural and social attitudes of the time.
#4084
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Bartleby, the Scrivener
A Story of Wall Street
Herman Melville
The story, narrated by an unnamed lawyer, revolves around Bartleby, a scrivener hired to copy legal documents.
Initially, Bartleby is a diligent worker, but he soon begins to refuse tasks with the repetitive phrase 'I would prefer not to'.
Despite the lawyer's attempts to reason with him, Bartleby's behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, leading to his eventual arrest and tragic end.
The story delves into themes of alienation, the mechanical nature of work, and the societal expectations of the mid-19th century.
It is often interpreted as a critique of the sterility and impersonality of the legal and business world of that era.
#9543
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Intellectuals and the Masses
John Carey
In this book, John Carey examines how early twentieth-century intellectuals, including writers such as George Bernard Shaw, Ezra Pound, D. H. Lawrence, E. M. Forster, Virginia Woolf, H. G. Wells, Aldous Huxley, and W. B. Yeats, conceived and wrote about the masses in disparaging terms.
Carey argues that these intellectuals imagined the masses as semi-human swarms, influenced by popular culture, and often advocated for elitist and exclusionary views.
The book critiques the modernist movement as a reaction against the rise of mass culture and literacy, suggesting that modernist writers deliberately made their work inaccessible to the masses to preserve their intellectual seclusion.
#1930
• Mentioned in 19 episodes
The magic mountain
Thomas Mann
The Magic Mountain is a novel by Thomas Mann, published in 1924.
It follows the story of Hans Castorp, a young man from a Hamburg merchant family, who visits his tubercular cousin Joachim at a sanatorium in Davos, Switzerland.
Initially planning to stay for three weeks, Castorp ends up staying for seven years, immersing himself in the unique world of the sanatorium.
The novel delves into themes of time, illness, and the intellectual and philosophical debates of the pre-World War I era.
It is a parable of Europe before the Great War and a prophecy of the future, highlighting the decline of European civilization and the rise of irrational and destructive forces.
The narrative is characterized by Mann's ironic and omniscient storytelling, exploring the human condition through Castorp's experiences and the diverse characters he encounters at the sanatorium.
#6951
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Beyond the Pleasure Principle
Sigmund Freud
In 'Beyond the Pleasure Principle,' Sigmund Freud expands his earlier theories on libido and the role of pleasure-seeking in human behavior.
He introduces the concept of the death drive (Thanatos) and the life drive (Eros), arguing that these two opposing instincts are fundamental to human behavior.
Freud questions the dominance of the pleasure principle, which posits that people seek pleasure and avoid pain, and instead suggests that human behavior is driven by an interplay between the life and death instincts.
This work marks a significant turn in Freud's thinking, deepening the understanding of the human psyche and its often contradictory motivations.
It also links Western psychoanalysis with Eastern perspectives on life and death, making it essential reading for students of psychology, history, and literature.
#7244
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The anatomy of melancholy
Robert Burton
Published in 1621 and expanded in several subsequent editions, 'The Anatomy of Melancholy' is a multifaceted work that explores melancholy through various lenses, including medicine, philosophy, and literature.
The book is divided into three main sections: the first examines the definitions, symptoms, and causes of melancholy; the second discusses its cures; and the third explores specific types of melancholy, such as love melancholy and religious melancholy.
Burton's work is notable for its use of classical allusions, Latin tags, and a sprawling, colloquial style that makes it both a medical textbook and a literary masterpiece.
#14105
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Three Men in a Boat
Jerome K. Jerome
#791
• Mentioned in 36 episodes
Bleak House
Charles Dickens
Bleak House, published in 1852-1853, is a novel by Charles Dickens that revolves around the Jarndyce family and their entanglement in the interminable lawsuit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
The story highlights the inefficiencies and injustices of the English Court of Chancery, as well as themes of family secrets, blackmail, murder, and social critique.
The novel follows Esther Summerson, who becomes the guardian of two other wards, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare, and their lives as they navigate the complexities of the lawsuit and personal secrets, particularly those surrounding Lady Dedlock and her past.
The novel is known for its vivid portrayal of Victorian England and its critique of various social and legal institutions of the time.
#7612
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Oblomov
Ivan Goncharov
Published in 1859, 'Oblomov' is a critical realist novel that portrays the life of Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, a member of Russia's nineteenth-century landed gentry.
Oblomov is characterized by his extreme laziness and inability to make important decisions or undertake significant actions.
The novel contrasts Oblomov's inertia with the proactive and modern character of Stoltz, reflecting the societal changes and criticisms of the Russian aristocracy during that era.
The book is known for its detailed psychological portraits and its influence on Russian literature, introducing the concept of 'Oblomovism' to describe the physical and mental sluggishness of Russia's backward country gentry.
Is idleness ever a virtue? In a world that seems to privilege utility and productivity above all else, Matthew Sweet considers whether we can rethink the importance of doing nothing. His guests for Radio 4's late night ideas discussion programme are:
Tom Hodgkinson, editor of The Idler and author of books including Idle Thoughts: Letters on Good Living, How to Live Like a Stoic: A Handbook for Happiness Polly Dickson, a literary scholar at the University of Durham, who’s researching the art of doodling Katrien Devolder, Professor of Applied Ethics at the University of Oxford Gavin Francis, doctor and author of many books including The Bridge Between Worlds and coming in Feb 2026 The Unfragile Mind, Making Sense of Mental Health Steve Connor, cultural historian, Director of Research of the Digital Futures Institute, King’s College, London.
Producer: Luke Mulhall