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The Why Factor

Laziness

Duration: 23 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC World Service AustralasiaLatest broadcast: on BBC World Service East Asia

Available for over a year

Laziness, slothfulness, idleness and apathy are used as criticisms and insults against individuals, groups and sometimes whole countries. But why? The Greeks saw laziness as a virtue and something to be sought after whereas today we look down on being unproductive. Should we keep ourselves constantly busy or is laziness something we should feel less guilty about? Isn’t a little bit of downtime good for the soul? After all, do good things not come out of taking it easy?

(Photo: Legs extended on a hammock. Credit: Shutterstock) Show less

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