What is/are your hobby/hobbies?

[Prowler]

I basically listen to music and play video games, watch anime and read books. I'm sure plenty of people here do these things on a daily basis was well, but I'm also sure some have something they're really passionate about, like playing an instrument or doing some sort of sport.

I'm afraid I'm yet to find a hobby that I'm truly passionate about. Sure I enjoy the things I've mentioned above but I wouldn't call myself passionate about them.

You?

[Amaranthus]

I read and waste my time watching television and using the internet.
I'm going to start taking care of plants once the weather allows me to.

[CyberCubed]

Playing videogames and watching TV aren't hobbies. Hobbies are something that builds some kind of skill like writing or drawing, or learning a musical instrument or going hiking or something.

[Amaranthus]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Playing videogames and watching TV aren't hobbies. Hobbies are something that builds some kind of skill like writing or drawing, or learning a musical instrument or going hiking or something.

[Davetello]

TMNT goes without saying, otherwise we wouldn't be posting on this website.

Football is my biggest passion (although I detest it in a sense as well, the corporate aspect, but I won't bore our American friends with that). I've had quite a few people say I could have turned professional, but I concentrated more on my education at school, thanks to my mother's influence. I probably shouldn't have bothered as qualifications have got me nowhere in life.
I watch a lot of football but I prefer playing. I've never experienced such a rush in life as when playing football (other than the glaringly obvious). It's a truly amazing feeling. I'm the only footballer here I think, so nobody will understand, but when you're being watched by a fair number of spectators and you and your team are playing well and dominating the opposition...well it's just a brilliant feeling to know that you're entertaining people. When you take the p!ss out of an opposition player with a piece of skill, or you play a great pass to play a team-mate through on goal... & you hear the reaction from those watching. It's just a major ego boost. I just can't explain how wonderful playing football is, it's sensational. It's one of the few things keeping me from jumping off a tower.

Education is something that's important to me too. I have an inconsistent history with that - as stated I knuckled down as a boy. But when I turned 18 and had some 'problems', I fell away from education for a number of years. I also spent these years completely oblivious to what was happening around me in society. When I hit 23 I started reading more and had home internet access so was naturally able to get back into the swing of things and expand my knowledge level.

As far as entertainment goes, I clearly enjoy things like television, cartoons, anime etc. I also like comic books. But it's not so black and white because these are things which greatly enhance our education too - much of what we watch or read is intended to make us think or provide social commentary or historical context. So even though it's not officially academia, much of it is of great literary and educational value.

I'd like to get back into using weights and getting more cardio (other than football). Partly to be in better shape externally, but more for the series of health benefits. There's a paucity of gyms in my area but I have dumb-bells and an exercise bike ready to be constructed so there's no excuse, really.

I'm on record as liking all of the above. I'm not really telling anyone anything they didn't already know. Something I like that I may not have mentioned, something more obscure? Well, I have a dormant interest in ice hockey. I know nothing about the NHL, you could count the number of players I know on the fingers of one hand. However, just from seeing highlights of the sport it looks absolutely fantastic - like five a side football on ice. I'd love to get into it properly. I'm just not sure I have enough time for another major interest. I also really like basketball.

In terms of the future, I really want to learn some foreign languages. I used to speak French pretty well in my school years but I've forgotten most of it now. I'd like to perhaps learn Spanish and German. I have the utmost respect for polyglots.

[Donnieangelo]

Drawing is what I do best.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Playing videogames and watching TV aren't hobbies. Hobbies are something that builds some kind of skill like writing or drawing, or learning a musical instrument or going hiking or something.

A hobby is essentially a past time. And whilst watching TV doesn't require you anything more than just sitting in front of a screen, playing video games actually forces you to do something and improve your skills at them.

Davetello: I'm interested in linguistics as well. I guess that could count as a hobby of mine as well, since I always try to learn a few new words a day by watching videos, listening to music, etc.

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by Prowler

A hobby is essentially a past time. And whilst watching TV doesn't require you anything more than just sitting in front of a screen, playing video games actually forces you to do something and improve your skills at them.

Davetello: I'm interested in linguistics as well. I guess that could count as a hobby of mine as well, since I always try to learn a few new words a day by watching videos, listening to music, etc.

Yes, in a sense gaming is a more interesting hobby than television as it's more active and requires a greater attention span. Television is often passive. You have to concentrate fully on games.

Yeah, I thought you'd refer to that paragraph. Your English is excellent considering it's not your first language - it's actually better than that of many native English speakers. That's extremely impressive, and what makes it even more impressive is that you're a Latin European so it's much more difficult for someone like you to learn English than for say a German or Dutchman of comparable talent. I've told you all of this before, though.

[snake]

Originally Posted by Amaranthus

I read and waste my time watching television and using the internet.
I'm going to start taking care of plants once the weather allows me to.

You forgot to add growing algae.

I like to read, watch movies, play video games, collect star wars stuff and sleep.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Davetello

Yes, in a sense gaming is a more interesting hobby than television as it's more active and requires a greater attention span. Television is often passive. You have to concentrate fully on games.

Yeah, I thought you'd refer to that paragraph. Your English is excellent considering it's not your first language - it's actually better than that of many native English speakers. That's extremely impressive, and what makes it even more impressive is that you're a Latin European so it's much more difficult for someone like you to learn English than for say a German or Dutchman. I've told you all of this before, though.

I think CyberCubed only considers things worthy of putting in your CV, basically stuff you do to develop useful skills, as hobbies. So he's not really wrong, I suppose. I mean, everyone watches or has watched tv. But not many play, let's say, Golf or Tennis.

I had no choice when it came to learning English, though. So that one does not count as a hobby I've had in the past.

[Amaranthus]

Originally Posted by snake

You forgot to add growing algae.

I threw it away and bought a ficus.
I don't know what to do most of the time. Causing me to be bored and depressed.
Help me, snake-senpai.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Amaranthus

I threw it away and bought a ficus.
I don't know what to do most of the time. Causing me to be bored and depressed.
Help me, snake-senpai.

I spend a lot of my free time bored or just randomly browsing the net as well. This has turned into a vicious cycle of apathy. Been slowly improving myself lately, though.

[Amaranthus]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I spend a lot of my free time bored or just randomly browsing the net as well. This has turned into a vicious cycle of apathy. Been slowly improving myself lately, though.

Yeah. I think I'm going to start reading again tomorrow.
I can also start sketching again. Even though I suck at it.

[CyberCubed]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I think CyberCubed only considers things worthy of putting in your CV, basically stuff you do to develop useful skills, as hobbies. So he's not really wrong, I suppose. I mean, everyone watches or has watched tv. But not many play, let's say, Golf or Tennis.

I had no choice when it came to learning English, though. So that one does not count as a hobby I've had in the past.

A hobby is something that improves a skill. Playing sports is a hobby, writing or drawing is a hobby, learning a music instrument or a foreign language is a hobby, even doing weight-training or exercising is a hobby.

There's a reason people who do nothing but watch TV or play videogames all day are looked down upon by society even though we know that's nonsense. That's where phrases like, "Too much TV will rot your brain" or "Videogames are for kids, you're too old to play games" came from.

I mean I play videogames every single day of my life pretty much, and not once did anyone ever think it was a "hobby." You're always looked down upon if you do nothing but play games and watch TV, probably because its not intellectual and doesn't improve a skill. I don't agree with that of course but that's how it is.

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by Prowler

I think CyberCubed only considers things worthy of putting in your CV, basically stuff you do to develop useful skills, as hobbies. So he's not really wrong, I suppose. I mean, everyone watches or has watched tv. But not many play, let's say, Golf or Tennis.

I had no choice when it came to learning English, though. So that one does not count as a hobby I've had in the past.

He's completely right to make that distinction, it is very important to do so. However, he's technically wrong, because the thread asks for 'hobbies' and the definition of a hobby is something which brings pleasure or relaxation. Therefore, it doesn't have to be something which advances skills in a field. But overall he's correct that some things are just for pleasure whereas others are for pleasure and improvement. As I say above, though, where do you draw the line? If I play tennis I might become a better tennis player. But if I watch "The Wire" I might learn more about society. It depends.

Originally Posted by Prowler

I spend a lot of my free time bored or just randomly browsing the net as well. This has turned into a vicious cycle of apathy. Been slowly improving myself lately, though.

Add me to that list. The internet is both the best and worst invention of recent times.

"A hobby is something that improves a skill"

No it isn't. A hobby is defined as something which brings pleasure or relaxation. It doesn't have to be a process of self-improvement. You're right with most of your posts though. But if I were to play devil's advocate for a moment, I could ask why becoming better at tennis by playing tennis is considered 'self-improvement' but becoming better at games by playing games is not? You're inferring that it's because tennis has more social and monetary value, which is true, but that just means it's a construct. Improving gaming skills is just as difficult as improving tennis skills - the difference is that society respects the latter and not the former.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

A hobby is something that improves a skill. Playing sports is a hobby, writing or drawing is a hobby, learning a music instrument or a foreign language is a hobby, even doing weight-training or exercising is a hobby.

There's a reason people who do nothing but watch TV or play videogames all day are looked down upon by society even though we know that's nonsense. That's where phrases like, "Too much TV will rot your brain" or "Videogames are for kids, you're too old to play games" came from.

I mean I play videogames every single day of my life pretty much, and not once did anyone ever think it was a "hobby." You're always looked down upon if you do nothing but play games and watch TV, probably because its not intellectual and doesn't improve a skill. I don't agree with that of course but that's how it is.

Fair enough. They're still pastimes or time killers, but not really hobbies, then, I guess. What about reading novels? Do you consider that a hobby?

I used to go to the gym and will try to go back soon. I guess that counts as a hobby too.

Originally Posted by Davetello

He's completely right to make that distinction, it is very important to do so. However, he's technically wrong, because the thread asks for 'hobbies' and the definition of a hobby is something which brings pleasure or relaxation. Therefore, it doesn't have to be something which advances skills in a field. But overall he's correct that some things are just for pleasure whereas others are for pleasure and improvement. As I say above, though, where do you draw the line? If I play tennis I might become a better tennis player. But if I watch "The Wire" I might learn more about society. It depends.

Definitions are fluid, so it's fine by me if people have slightly different definitions of what truly constitutes a hobby.

Pleasure and improvement? Well video games can improve your reflexes and even your intelligence according to some studies, if I'm not mistaken.

[Davetello]

Originally Posted by Prowler

Fair enough. They're still pastimes or time killers, but not really hobbies, then, I guess. What about reading novels? Do you consider that a hobby?

I used to go to the gym and will try to go back soon. I guess that counts as a hobby too.



Definitions are fluid, so it's fine by me if people have slightly different definitions of what truly constitutes a hobby.

Pleasure and improvement? Well video games can improve your reflexes and even your intelligence according to some studies, if I'm not mistaken.

Fair point. But I'd say his definition of a hobby is problematic and too rigid.

As for the second paragraph - I cover that in my most recent response above. I am in complete agreement. I mean even just posting here - it might seem of lesser consequence but we are able to have deep and engaging conversations. We're all adding to the melting pot with our differing experiences and perspectives. It's a plexus of ideologies. So, in a sense, talking to people on forums can sometimes be more transcendent or rewarding than sitting watching television or reading an agenda-riddled book told from a singular perspective.

[Prowler]

Originally Posted by Davetello

Fair point. But I'd say his definition of a hobby is problematic and too rigid.

As for the second paragraph - I cover that in my most recent response above. I am in complete agreement.

It might be a tad too rigid, but since it's more specific it might help people looking for a hobby to actually know what a "true" hobby is, I suppose. That way, they'll try to learn to play the guitar or sign up for some dance classes instead of just turning on the TV and watch it all day long.

[Mew]

I love to draw, read Marvel and TMNT comics, playing video games, collecting TMNT action figures!

[Amaranthus]

Originally Posted by Mr.Meow

I love to draw, read Marvel and TMNT comics, playing video games, collecting TMNT action figures!

My mom won't let me have action figures.