Wow, what I'm having a hard time getting past in this article were the quotes from Joseph Ferarri, who, apparently, doesn't like these lazy lollygaggers a bit, (me and Emily Yoffe, and, given that you're on the internet during working hours, probably you too) and is fervently writing and researching to put a stop to this nonsense once and for all.
Remember what he said? That procrastination "merits extirpation," is a "nasty, unattractive" part of human behavior, featuring "illogicalness is its salient feature." Procrastinators are noted for their "impulsiveness," "lack of persistence," and "lack of self-control," and are declared to be void of self-reflection.
His self satisfied response to all this? "I don't like cutting the grass but I do it."
How about this, Mr. holier-than-thou researcher into the activities of your inferiors?
My grass may be tall, but I'm not a self satisfied asshat.
Consider, too, that I would bet quite a lot of money (which I'm sure I'd have more of if I weren't such a big procrastinator) that many, if not most of the truly creative people in the world have elements of procrastination in their personality. Writers, not least of all.
Procrastination is that lovely faculty of making time for idle thoughts, the nourishment of the soul that incubates and sometimes gives birth to great and profound truths.
If you've never surfed the internet at random, wandered aimlessly through a bookstore or library, or stared out a window at a bluer sky than you deserve, when, truth be told, you should have been working, then I truly pity you. Yours must be a sad and colorless existence.
There is a beauty in the hours idly whiled away that you will never know, Mr. Ferarri. We pay a price, in hurried deadlines and occasional missed opportunities, but we are generously paid in return with freedom of spirit, not to mention the glorious hours that we could have been trudging through the salt mines with you.
