On 2010-04-18, at 10:57 PM, SA wrote:
> Michael Smith wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:29:51 -0400
>> SA <s11131978 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Anyone who's ever done the painstaking work
>>> of trying to learn a foreign language, or master a piece of music, or
>>> solve a difficult math problem, knows that such endeavors are deeply satisfying and that it's precisely the difficulty and effort involved that make them so.
>>
>> Having done some of the things mentioned, I'd have to say this statement is dead wrong. The "difficulty and effort" form no part of the pleasure.
>
> Really? Well, it's a big world out there. Having done them too, I'd say difficulty and effort are part of the pleasure - or more exactly, the satisfaction. I wonder what others think.
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I agree. Nothing more satisfying then a hard, sweaty workout or the labourious shaping and reshaping, the crafting, of written or physical material. But then again others like to stroll and to observe and to fish. And most of us like to do both at different times. The issue becomes how to eliminate the constraints which prevent people from a) taking satisfaction in their work and b) having the opportunity for more leisurely activity.