新東方4級英語學習課程

　　Technology and the division of labour have done two things: by eliminating in many fields theneed for special strength or skill, they have made a very large number of paid occupationswhich formerly were enjoyable work into boring labour, and by increasing productivity theyhave reduced the number of necessary labouring of the population, that is to say, itslabourers, will have almost as much leisure as in earlier times was enjoyed by the aristocracy.

　　It seems interesting and relaxing good news at the first sight, but when one recalls howaristocracies in the past actually behaved, the prospect is not cheerful.

　　The past aristocracies invented a lot of activities to make fun out of boredom, however, theproblem of dealing with boredom may be even more difficult for such a future mass societythan it was for aristocracies. The latter, for example, ritualized their time; there was a season toshoot grouse, a season to spend in town, a season to hold a lot of parties, etc