Is Binge Watching a Hobby?

During the COVID-19 lockdowns and beyond, binge watching has risen to become a popular pastime. People around the world have found themselves engrossed in entire seasons of their favorite TV shows and movies. However, is binge watching truly a hobby, or is it merely a way to pass the time?

What Defines a Hobby?

A hobby is generally understood to be an activity that a person engages in for leisure, often for the reason of pleasure, enjoyment, or the personal investment of time and energy, without the obligation or expectation of financial return. Traditionally, hobbies have been viewed as pursuits that are both constructive and engaging, allowing individuals to learn new skills, create something meaningful, or collect or maintain items of interest.

Binge Watching: Entertainment, Not a Pastime?

While it’s undeniable that binge watching can be a form of entertainment and can bring people joy, some argue that it doesn’t quite fit the traditional definition of a hobby. Watching a series or movie can indeed be relaxing and enjoyable, but it’s more of a passive activity. Unlike traditional hobbies, binge watching hardly requires any skill or effort from the viewer. Instead, it’s more about absorbing information or entertainment without contributing or creating something tangible.

Many might argue that casual activities like sitting at a café chatting or simply browsing social media are also not considered hobbies. These activities, while enjoyable, are more about social interaction or filling time without learning or creating new experiences. Binge watching falls into a similar category, being primarily about passive consumption rather than active engagement.

The Debate Continues

However, not all agree. The role of a hobby can and does vary widely. Many would point out that while the activity might be passive, the impact and enjoyment derived from binge watching can be significant. Film critics, for example, might not be considered passive in their engagement with media, yet they are undeniably focused on critiquing and analyzing films and TV shows, which can be seen as a sophisticated form of engagement.

Conclusion

So, is binge watching a hobby? The answer can be nuanced. For those who find deep enjoyment and value in consuming media and immersing themselves in narratives and character development, it can certainly be a form of leisure that provides a sense of fulfillment and distraction. Nevertheless, traditional definitions of a hobby might argue that binge watching, being primarily for entertainment rather than skill-building or creation, doesn’t quite fit the bill.

Ultimately, the distinction lies in personal perspective. What one person considers a meaningful activity, another might see as a simple form of entertainment. Whether or not binge watching is a hobby is more of a subjective measure of what one finds fulfilling and engaging rather than an objective assessment of the activity itself.