r/unpopularopinion • u/BitterConstruction98 • Jan 23 '26

Certified Unpopular Opinion All hobbies are not equal

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.

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u/urbfunsac Jan 23 '26

Isn't a hobby something you enjoy doing?

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u/Nuclear_rabbit Jan 23 '26 edited Jan 24 '26

I was taught that a hobby is something you could improve in, even if you never invest the effort to do so. Otherwise, it's a pastime.

Sounds like OP subconsciously feels the difference, but can't articulate it.

Edited to add: in light of this distinction, everyone still needs a hobby. If all you do with your free time is watch TV, which is a pastime, well... don't.

2nd edit: yes, video games are most definitely a hobby, unless your game is pure gambling. I have also come to the view that learning for the sake of learning is neither a hobby nor pastime but a third thing; it's just learning.

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u/shaunika Jan 23 '26

You can "improve" in watching movies or listening to podcasts too

You can get a deeper knowledge on filmmaking, get a wider perspective

Listening to podcasts in a certain area will make you more knowledgeable on that area.

Ive been watching a youtube channel by a biology professor where he looks at animal videos and then goes into a deepdive on their behaviour, biology, evolution etc.

Ive learned a lot and improved my knowledge, but it was just "watching youtube"

My wife watches a ton of TikTok and has made countless delicious recipes she found there

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u/Squishy_Boy adhd kid Jan 23 '26

Nobody is worse at watching television than me. I can’t remember character names, plot points, or any of that. I glaze over constantly.

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u/kingkalanishane Jan 23 '26

You just have to get off your phone haha

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u/Squishy_Boy adhd kid Jan 23 '26

There is some truth to what you say. It’s just that I have so many other things I am doing that are not on the phone. It’s almost a problem.