Gen Z is turning hobbies into work — and missing the point (Grey Battle, 9/13/26, Washington Post)
In “Economic Possibilities for our Grandchildren,” John Maynard Keynes dreamed of this moment. He wrote in 1930, “For the first time since his creation man will be faced with his real, his permanent problem: how to use his freedom from pressing economic cares, how to occupy the leisure.” Hobbymaxxing is born from an innocent desire for an enriching life offline and outside of work. But Gen Z’s hobbying obsession may have evolved too far, so that these activities are no longer considered leisure but additional jobs.