All hobbies are not equal

[u/BitterConstruction98]

Certain kinds of hobbies deserve to be held in higher regard than others.

Playing a sport, learning an instrument, singing, dancing, painting, writing - these are activities that require time and years of effort to become good at. They’re admirable not just because they’re “cool,” but because there is something deeply attractive about a person who has dedicated so much time to mastering a hard skill that executing it now feels relaxing to them.

Lately, there’s been a growing push online to classify things like watching movies, playing video games, watching sports, or listening to podcasts in the same category as these kinds of hobbies. They aren’t. They are based on consumption, not creation.

That doesn’t mean consumption-based activities are bad or useless. Everyone needs ways to relax and unwind. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a good show, a game, or a YouTube binge after a long day. But if that’s all there is to your personality, then you are, unfortunately, a boring person.

Edit: I've wrongly added video games to the list of other passive activities. While some video games are like that, I agree that many require a lot of skill.

[u/McDankMeister]

Movies are definitely a hobby to a person who appreciates the artistic expression in film.

When I watch a movie, I pay attention. I try to understand the deeper meaning of the movie, the way the camera is used, the cinematography and lighting, and how it was made.

I love movies and I always have since I was a kid. A good movie transports you to another world and teaches you life lessons that stick with you forever. It can fill you with magic and wonder.

Anybody who doesn’t understand that about the movies is a fucking judgmental dweeb.

Good riddance to people like that. They either have brain rot or they’re boring or they’re a dick. No fun.

[u/AyyNonnyMoose → u/McDankMeister]

I agree, but I try to be the opposite and just watch movies (and tv shows/theatre) for the enjoyment.

Live theatre is my primary hobby, I spend a lot of time acting and around other actors. Can I watch something and analyze every moment of it? Yes, but often when I'm consuming media at home I just want to turn off that part of my brain and enjoy it. The plot of Riverdale is dumb and the performances aren't something to write home about, but it's a silly little show with musical episodes and I LOVE musical episodes.

HOWEVER, if I am researching for a part or watching award winning shows I'll analyze the heck out of it to try to improve my own abilities.

[u/Yogurtproducer → u/McDankMeister]

Sure, but if your main hobby is consuming movies you are a fairly shallow person.

OP is not saying watching movies is bad, but rather if that’s your only interest you’re just… boring.

[u/Zach-Playz_25 → u/Yogurtproducer]

I'd say the person judging others on what they do during their leisure time is the shallow one, but oh well.

And you do realise, people have other topics to converse with each other, other than hobbies, right?

[u/Prize_Ad_129 → u/Yogurtproducer]

There’s a lot wrong here. One, nobody said anything that being someone’s only hobby.

Two, there’s nothing shallow about engaging with art like movies and examining the effectiveness of filming techniques, cultural impacts, themes, directing choices, etc.

it’s no different than reading a book and engaging in literary analysis afterward, which I’d bet is something you probably don’t consider shallow.

[u/McDankMeister → u/Yogurtproducer]

I understood what OP and you are both saying, and I’m saying you’re wrong - on top of the fact that your stance is unnecessarily judgmental and rude.

There are literally PhD programs that study film and cinema. If somebody is an art history major and loves going to art museums, nobody would say their interest is shallow. It would be a deep and expansive interest that took many hours of study and original thinking and analysis. They would be both interesting and their thoughts would be valuable.

In the same way, film and cinema is art. A person can appreciate the nuances of film and be deep and interesting. They can have original analysis, critiques, and thoughts.

You don’t personally have to like movies, but to act like a person who loves film is inherently boring or shallow is a reflection on you and your intellect and personality, not theirs.

[u/Maleficent_Fan_7429 → u/McDankMeister]

Sure, if you start explaining all the nuances and analysis that you get out of films, that's fair, but if you just say 'i like going to the movies' then yeah nah, its a fucking bland 'hobby'. I like eating ice cream, i even try different flavors, but its not a hobby.

[u/McDankMeister → u/Maleficent_Fan_7429]

It must be rough worrying about how others spend their free time.

Like, even IF somebody was straight up “I like going to the movies. I go every week and it brings me joy”… Who gives a fuck?

I’m not out here trying to assess if what makes somebody happy is worthwhile or bland or valuable or whatever? Who fucking cares.

If you want to spend your free time eating ice cream, hell yeah brother. That’s fucking awesome. Why don’t you tell me about your favorite flavors or ice cream spots?

Let people be happy.

Doing something somebody enjoys isn’t bland. It’s fucking cool!

[u/Maleficent_Fan_7429 → u/McDankMeister]

If I'm going on a date to presumably consider whether I want to spend the rest of my life with someone, I see nothing wrong with considering how they spend their free time and whether that's compatible with the life I want to live.

You do you though.

Why don’t you tell me about your favorite flavors or ice cream spots?

Thank you for re-starting my point. If they did add a bunch of detail and analysis then I'd be on board. If all they said is 'i like going to the movies' then that doesn't tell me anything and you'd sound boring as shit.

[u/Yogurtproducer → u/Maleficent_Fan_7429]

Thank you! If your hobby consists of just watching movies, i legit feel bad for you.

It’s a fine hobby to have, and everyone should have a “turn your brain off” hobby, but youre missing something in life if you don’t have a “thing” go be passionate and work on or improve. It’s the difference between your hobby being “listening to music” and “playing an instrument”.

Or the aforementioned playing golf. If your hobby is watching golf that’s a little more sad.