slacker According to Webster's Dictionary, a slacker is "a person who shirks work or obligation." But lest we allow Webster's to be the be-all and end-all of the English language, urbandictionary.com has a different definition; "a person who chooses the path of least resistance." More, "a slacker is someone who, while being intelligent, doesn't really feel like doing anything." And even, "a nice person to chill with." Slackers, it's clear, have a knack for inertia and a way with "nothingness." "Slacker" has been so potent a label that it's inspired two movies: "Slacker" in 1991, and "Slackers" in 2002. And while the word "slacker" brings to mind images of a flannel shirt-clad Ethan Hawke, brooding his way through "Reality Bites," there's actually a long history behind the surly pose of the disaffected 20-something. Traditionally, "slacker" was a term attached to those who avoided military duty, like Vietnam draft dodgers, or WWII conscientious objector and poet Robert Lowell. The term then resurfaced in the early '90s as a way of branding those who willfully eluded work or school. Slackers became the "loadies" of "Clueless," the stoners of "Harold and Kumar," and the Jacks of the "Will and Grace" set. While there are several forms of slackerdom, the common ground is a commitment to willfully disregarding societal conventions and living life free of the constraints of consumerism and corporate America. Sarah Dunn, author of the "Official Slacker Handbook," notes that, "a lot has been said about the slacker's trademark indolence, but the point must be made that deliberately opting out of socially-recognized forms of activity isn't the same thing as stumbling into inaction." In other words, Dunn argues, slacking off isn't just laziness--it's pointed laziness with a philosophical basis. These days, some of our most famous thinkers would be considered slackers. After all, Thoreau lived comfortably at Walden while only working six weeks a year and Descartes devised Cartesian geometry while hanging around the streets of Holland. And though "slacker" is often considered an insult or an accusation, some choose to reclaim the term as a sign of creativity and resourcefulness. As Winnie the Pooh once said, "Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing."

Comments

[Anjolene]

Same goes fer me, slacker rules, for they are smart (:P) and they can just..stop, haha.

no offense.

[AmorMJ]

Go slackers! It's fun and lazy! As you've noticed I'm a slacker and kinda crazy...

[JO THE REDNECK NEXTDOOR]

As Winnie the Pooh once said, "Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing."
OH WINNIE THE POOH! FUNNY. I LIKE THAT SAYING.

[Dria]

hahahaha my hist. teacher calls us all slackers all the time, he's awesome! It's not a real label, just a quick name to snap at a friend on a lazy day.

[Chelsea]

I hate labels,i think they are not right,but i feel like a hypocrite because i use them too.I just don't tell them to people,i keep them to myself.I mean,it's not wrong to think what you want too,labels have been around forever,but you should think before you use them.
I constently think of my fellow peers as slackers but i don't say it,because they label me a nerd.that;s all i have to say...for now.

[Shawnee]

I'm a slacker and damn proud of it! Woot!
But yeah, The Slackers are also a pretty sweet ska band with a more reggae influence.

[m.]

yeah... i think i might be a slacker!