Disposable Income vs Disposable Time

In his essay "On Enterpreneurship" (contained in his excellent book, "A Better India A  Better World", NRN writes very pertinently that "The only way we can solve the problem of poverty is by creating jobs with disposable incomes." Here "disposable income" means the residual  income left over after meeting the basic cost of food, clothing, housing, educational & medical expenses. An admirable definition no doubt but begging the question of whether doing whether such created jobs, should also create "disposable time" after work.

After all "Man does not live on bread alone" as said by Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:4). The only difference between humans & animals is what can be called "Culture." Josef Pieper defines culture as Divine Worship & allied interests as the fine arts & sports, which may be economically unproductive. These are the only things which enable us to rise above our animal nature. The urge to survive, reproduce oneself & occupy a position in the pecking order (status) are those we share with animals.

"Disposable Time" is as essential as "Disposable Income" to lead a full cultured  human life. That is why even a "workoholic" like Sir M Visweshwariah, started the Century Club. After a day of earning "disposable income", a person should spend his evenings of "disposable time", pursuing active sports, which may be as effective & more enjoyable than the currently fashionable Yoga classes or working out at the gym. Also no people die playing sports unlike the current deaths of celebrities after gym!

The earlier sounds of children learning classical music in their homes in the evening has vanished along with the chirping of the common sparrow! Children heading to coaching classes instead of playing fields after school is shameful. This vicious circle of philistinism has engendered a generation which would not know what to do with their "disposable" time, even if they had it. Alcohol abuse, watching unworthy films & commercialized sports has become a part of obsessive overwork not a panacea to it.

Creative work as opposed to Servile work has been appreciated by Pieper & the noted designer & author William Morris. Though specialisation has led to increased productivity (as shown in the famous example of making pins in Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations"), it has destroyed the creative spirit which set apart humans from animals. Fortunately the developed West has recognised this & added sports, music & languages to the school curriculum.

Our elders were well aware when they coined the adage "All Work & no Play makes Jack a dull boy." It is a dystopian world indeed if it comprises humans unable to enjoy DVG, Mozart, Ravi Shankar, Raphael or Ray. To sum up, disposable income can be earned back but never disposable time!