Literature for Loafers

The Idler magazine was founded in 1993 by Tom Hodgkinson and Gavin Pretor-Pinney in order to explore alternatives to the work ethic and promote freedom and the fine art of doing nothing. In that time it has passed through many incarnations, and inspired thousands of people to cast off the shackles of corporate or bureaucratic life, and find freedom. It now exists as an annual collection of essays, published in hardback book form. The current issue is themed around Utopia and includes contributions from Louis Theroux, Bill Drummond, Boff Whalley and Joe Dunthorne.

Cultivate Your Leisure

The Idler Academy is the educational wing of the Idler magazine. Founded in 2011 by Tom Hodgkinson and Victoria Hull, the idea is to provide a convivial education in useful, enjoyable but neglected subjects. We run a programme of courses, lectures and supper clubs at our head quarters in west London and at festivals, houses and clubs around the country. We also make available recordings and teaching materials on our website to Idler Academy Friends and Fellows.   The ancient Greek word schole, which turned into our word for "school", originally meant "free time". It was with this Athenian sense of the importance of cultivated leisure that the Idler Academy was conceived. Our motto is libertas per cultum, meaning “freedom through education”. Our aim is to feed your mind with intellectual sustenance of the highest quality.