Future Histories of Leisure

Abstract

Finally, this chapter begins with an examination of contemporary leisure history, with a discussion of postmodern history (Zagorin, 1999). I will explore the way in which postmodernism and postmodernity have opened up opportunities for communicative discourse over the meaning and purpose of leisure: particularly through the rise of the Internet and popular music. However, the commodification of sport and the malign influence of transnational corporations on the choices of leisure consumers will serve as a reminder that contemporary leisure’s history is a Habermasian history of communicative retreat against the rising tide of instrumental rationality. In the second section of this chapter, I will explore the way in which dreams of communicative leisure fulfilment have been, and are, expressed through the depiction of leisure in alternative histories, such as science-fiction and the fantasy stories of J.R.R. Tolkien (see Fimi, 2009). I will argue that such alternative histories of leisure can be seen as ways in which free, rational choices about good and bad are made free from persuasion; and ways in which we can avoid the wrong, instrumental choices. However, there is an irony in the way these alternative histories are created by the industry of capitalism to meet a superficial, consumer demand.