Algernon D'Ammassa

"It is often considered pejorative to call someone an amateur. We are as confused about this as we are about the meaning of “leisure” (to be in command of one’s own time, which is not the same thing as being idle)."

My latest column for the #DemingHeadlight, on the necessity of doing things we love and pushing back against a social system that insists on monetizing every endeavor.

https://www.demingheadlight.com/2023/06/02/living-by-loving/

#leisure #life #theatre #amateur #Professionalism #philosophy #etymology #capitalism

Living by loving

It is often considered pejorative to call someone an amateur. We are as confused about this as we are about the meaning of “leisure” (to be in command of one’s own time, which is not the same thing as being idle). To be “amateurish” is thought to be unskilled, crude, not like a professional. The professional is genuine and the amateur is a dabbler or, worse yet, a pretender. This …

Jun 2, 2023 at 3:24pmWeb
Show threadSunflower Björnskalle 🌻Jun 2, 2023

@algernon I've noticed this. Americans often get upset that I just do things because I love to do them. One time I was researching mining for some reason and people were telling me how useless it was to learn the terminology but I was like no, it's not, because I like it. That's the use.

I think they lose sight of the fact that it's relative. It's only bad to be an amateur if the context demands a professional.

Show threadAlgernon D'AmmassaJun 2, 2023
@apodoxus “Because I like it. That’s the use.” Exactly.
Show threadSunflower Björnskalle 🌻Jun 2, 2023
@algernon Workaholic culture maybe.
Show threadpeter_sgourosJun 2, 2023
@algernon @apodoxus it’s my primary motivation for almost everything I do…