The Left has for a long time I think much more idealized Free Time for individuals to cultivate themselves.
The saving of labour time [is] equal to an increase of free time, i.e. time for the full development of the individual, which in turn reacts back upon the productive power of labour as itself the greatest productive power. From the standpoint of the direct production process it can be regarded as the production of fixed capital, this fixed capital being man himself. It goes without saying, by the way, that direct labour time itself cannot remain in the abstract antithesis to free time in which it appears from the perspective of bourgeois economy… Free time – which is both idle time and time for higher activity – has naturally transformed its possessor into a different subject, and he then enters into the direct production process as this different subject. This process is then both discipline, as regards the human being in the process of becoming; and, at the same time, practice [Ausübung], experimental science, materially creative and objectifying science, as regards the human being who has become, in whose head exists the accumulated knowledge of society.”
(
Karl Marx, Grundrisse, Notebook VII)
Politics is one of many of my interests, albeit far more important than it ever was before thanks to the direction we are headed.
According to science, we have little time to address our impact on the environment, so I don't intend to be one of those who merely dilly dallied on the sidelines while our planet was being destroyed. Sadly, even the most creative entrepreneur could not solve this on their own, political power is necessary.
I care about those things because I have a young family, and I think this world is full of stuff that I would like to do. I'm a highly trained singer, I act when I get the time to, I am into hiking and mountaineering which is afforded by where I live, and get to travel for free since my wife works for an airline. I primarily just read non-fiction, as I have heavy interests in psychology, philosophy, politics, history, and biology. In order not to annoy my wife, I have to find outlets for discussing ideas, and I periodically shut it down completely and maybe have a fresh start somewhere else.
All things in moderation though. Leftists and Right Wingers should balance their personal lives and seek out to maximize their potential as a human being with their free time.
