My dad has spent so much of his free time over his life birdwatching that I cannot grasp this statement as anything other than pedantry saying passive recreation can't count as hobbies. Maybe watching a thing isn't a hobby by the dictionary, but I think it's pretty clear what the word "hobby" is intended to mean here.

[–] Cruxifux@feddit.nl 1 points 1 month ago

Going and hunting down birds to look at is an activity that requires effort and I can justify that as a hobby. Sitting on the couch watching media does not, and is therefore in my mind decidedly not a hobby. And if we’re going to make an argument that by the most technical definition of the word that it is a hobby, I will argue that it’s not a respectable one.

[–] LargeAdultRedBook@hexbear.net 19 points 1 month ago

Watching a thing isn’t a hobby.

Consumption is my hobby. Content is my passion.

[–] ProfessorOwl_PhD@hexbear.net 13 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Watching a thing is definitely a hobby. Birds, trains, films, whales - hobbies aren't defined by you thinking they're worthwhile enough, they're defined by people doing them for enjoyment.

[–] Cruxifux@feddit.nl 1 points 1 month ago

Smoking is my hobby.

[–] Cruxifux@feddit.nl 0 points 1 month ago

Watching films is not a hobby.