Search
Close
Alternative Hedonism
“…the market economy is providing the goods that we still do, I think, want to have, [e.g.] forms of exercise, forms of relating to each other, forms of leisure time in various ways. It is selling us back these goods that we have sacrificed through overwork.”
This quote belongs to Kate Soper who, during an interview in which her ideas on Alternative Hedonism were discussed, examined the curious phenomenon of people flocking to large scale work-out facilities and paying exorbitant fees to run on treadmills when they are perfectly able to get the same a similar work-out running to the gym whilst paying nothing.
Her arguments and observations about the damaging effects of a consumeristic way of life and the comodification of the world are immensely interesting and decidedly well formed and persuasive.
Here is the Philosophy Bites interview with her and here is one of her papers on Alternative hedonism.
Drawing by Joe Kievitt / untitled / ink on paper / 6.75″ x 6.75″ / 2010
Well, having belonged to a gym I can tell you that it isn't the same thing as running or bicycling on the street. You can attain greater levels of intensity and a more continuous effort on gym equipment than you can on the street. And with less impact on your body too.So perhaps gyms aren't the best example she could have used.
Hey you're probably right man. In all honesty I have belonged to gyms too. I think her greater point though is that because of the consumeristic, market economy in which we are a part, we overwork ourselves to the point where we have no choice but to buy back the leisure and relational activities we long for but tend to sacrifice. I know I often feel this way. I like my job (more or less) and like what I do, but then again, there are so many other things I like to do and so many other people I'd like to be with. Ya know?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by jesse turri, jesse turri. jesse turri said: Curious about what Alternative Hedonism is? Check out this post, you may learn something! (Drawings by Joe Kievitt) #fb http://is.gd/dTgub [...]
whoah this blog is wonderful i like studying your posts. Stay up the good work! You realize, lots of people are looking round for this info, you can aid them greatly.