Is Laziness Human Nature?
Yes, I admit that I am very lazy at times. Who hasn’t? Which brings me to my question. Is that necessarily a bad thing if being lazy is human nature? Seriously. Any time someone has some type of work, chore, errand, assignment, etc. that they do not do or finish, they will often say something like, “I got lazy, didn’t finish.” What does this imply? It means to actually do work, you have to physically stop being lazy! And if you have to actively stop doing something, doesn’t that make it your nature?
I mean, I naturally breathe air in and out, and the only way I can stop is if I actively hold my breath. My eyes will naturally blink every so often unless I physically hold them up. I naturally have black hair unless I dye it. And I’m naturally lazy unless I force myself to do some work!!! Yes, I said that. Work is not human nature, laziness is!! The only thing that should disturb this very natural urge, is a more pressing natural urge. No one will begrudge you if you have to stop being lazy to, say, go to the bathroom, or eat!! I mean, those are just as natural!
So, it begs the question, if laziness is human nature, why is it so frowned upon!!??! Next time your wife, girlfriend, husband, boyfriend, boss, mom, dad, friend tells you to do something that requires you to stop your NATURAL tendency of laziness, tell them to do it themselves, and not to disturb you again until you get hungry. Then he/she can stop being lazy themselves and cook you some food! 
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Comments on Is Laziness Human Nature?
NO! Laziness is not human nature. This is just a myth that people put up with so they don’t feel guitly not doing anything.
Hmmmm, interesting. I think the fact that they feel guilty is just something society brainwashed people into thinking that laziness really isn’t human nature!!
Bleh! I still think your definition of human nature is wrong. The real nature of humans is to adapt and be motivated to get better (that’s why there is evolution). Laziness on the other hand can be characterized as a human behavior rather than nature. People CHOOSE to be lazy and do not naturally get defeated and be taken over by laziness.
sorry leo, i don’t agree. first, human behavior is a subset of human nature, so if you categorize laziness as human behavior, you must also categorize it as inherently human nature. and second, evolution isn’t a result of laziness. evolution selects out the fastest runners and smartest members of the species to continue, but that doesn’t mean that these people will always choose to run or work. it just means when presented with adversity, they respond the best. look at lions, strong and swift but they spend most of their day sleeping! therefore, i say that people are lazy but CHOOSE to work in order to survive and be afforded their luxuries in life.
Wow, amazing. Now there are two things that V and I actually agree on!
BAH, you are just looking for excuses to be LAZY ASSES.
i agree it’s easier to not do something than to do something. but don’t go around analogizing laziness to breathing or peeing. those are physical needs. laziness is not. i frown upon you!! haha.
chasers, don’t forget about 2 seconds! that makes 3!
Awww, yes!!! Make that 3!!
you ladies are missing the entire debate. he never claimed laziness is a physical need, nor have we denied that we’re lazy. chasers just pointed out that laziness is human nature, which neither of you have been able to deny.
Yes!! I never once sad laziness was desirable in any way. Just that if you have to consciously not be lazy, then its a natural human behavior. Now, I’m off to lie around in my bedroom and veg….hehe.
Laziness is very natural AND the source of all progress: guy who invented the wheel was just too tired to walk all the time or carry heavy stuff, therefore… the wheel! Makes things easier.
The chimp who decided to pick up a stick and knock down the apple from the tree with it: he couldn´t be bothered to climb the damn tree.
And so on and so forth.
For those of you too traumatized by the idea (some of these protestant ethics are hard to overcome, I know…), remember this: eventually everyone gets tired of being lazy.
That´s nature, too
(-:
I could have posted that comment earlier but couldn t be bothered
Wow, laziness as a source of progress. I’m loving it.
Laziness is an obvious, natural characteristic of all creatures. As laziness is the absence of work, and thus, the absence of the use of energy, it is completely, utterly, natural. Nature hates using energy and all creatures, systems, etc., will use the least amount of energy possible in any act of work. If humans were not lazy we would not have any technological advances, or “time savers”; like spears, guns, engines, computers, etc.
Evolution favors laziness. What animal do you think will survive the long hall? One who works a lot for what it needs to survive or one who works little for what it needs to survive.
It is perfectly natural to be lazy and not want to work. That’s why we invented technology. It is our goofy society that teaches us working 40+ hours a week is somehow good for us. Most hunter gathers worked only 20, 15 or even 10 hours a week. If you even could call what they did “work”, because they were not forced to do what some “boss” or “customer” says. And forced to work at certain times of day they may not like and forced to be isolated from their family, friend and children.
So the lazier you are, the better chance you have to contribute and do great things. Well this made me feel better.