Many times the endeavors individuals undertake in their leisure time are regarded as merely hobbies; a way to get away from the daily grind. This conclusion can be made only of hobbies that are purely relegated to one’s free time and have no professional counterpart, or, as Theodor Adorno states, “free time should in no way suggest work, presumably so that one can work that much more effectively later.” Free time, and the hobbies contained therein, can often develop into obsessions that replace their 9 to 5 jobs as their main motivator for getting up in the morning, rather than the money that they will make at their regular job because of the need for humans to be productive due to the historical teachings of conservative societies.
I have never come across a “pure hobby” that someone, somewhere in the world does not get paid to do in a professional capacity. There is an element of productivity in every hobby. Perceived unproductive hobbies such as shopping and bird watching have the equivalent professions of Mystery Shopping and Ornithologist, respectively. There are also the more obvious hobbies with professional equals like baking and being a pastry chef. Adorno mentions, “The state of dozing in the sun represents the culmination of a decisive element of free time under the present conditions: boredom.” “Dozing in the sun” can also be perceived as a part of a profession when it is liked to, say, a swimsuit model, whose job it is to be tanned and beautiful. Hobbies and their professional doppelgangers many a time look unproductive, but still serve a purpose.
Millions of people have taken a look at Ken Block’s Gymkhana video, along with its sequel, on YouTube and various other video hosting web sites. Upon first look at any of his videos, or even motorsports in general, the activity looks as if there is no point to it other than an entertaining competition. DC Shoe Company blatantly states what might not be obvious to the common viewer of their productions at the beginning of their second Gymkhana video with Block. The video begins with a green screen with black letters telling the viewer that, “WARNING! The following is a product advertisement.” This video, as said by DC Shoes themselves, is an advertisement. What follows is an assault on the senses of “awesome” clothes and “sweet” slow motion. No matter what motorsport one encounters there is going to be some type of selling of a product involved. Even in amateur, or hobbyist, motorsports the competitors do the work of the companies whose products they use for free because when someone asks what they’re using they will inevitably tell them with great pride.
Ken Block may be living what was once a hobby for him, and currently a hobby for many around the world, but DC Shoes is selling his talent. As a rally driver Ken Block doesn’t really need to win another race because he can sell being “cool” for DC Shoes as long as there are still hobbyists who want to be like the guys in the movies and magazines with money to spend.
Adorno postulates that free time is simply an extension of the daily grind; preparing the partaker for the next time they must suffer their occupational obligations. I take contention with this statement and would assert that the use of free time can sometimes, if not often, replace the job that afforded the hobbyist the free time in the first place and contain a great element of productivity. In a motorsports there are companies that are willing to shell out the dough to the most talented drivers to slap their name on their car and race with their products
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