Ask HN: What's a hobby?

[miguelrochefort]

- They say that there is more in life than work.

- They say that you must spend time with your family.

- They say that you need a hobby.

What's a hobby? Why should a person have any? What would be the purpose? That isn't clear to me.

[orionblastar]

A hobby is something you do for fun, that usually doesn't earn an income or doesn't earn much of an income.

A lot of free and open source projects started out as someone's hobby and grew over time.

[AbdulBahajaj → orionblastar]

I would defined it as something that you like doing regardless of income.

[miguelrochefort → orionblastar]

Is it a requirement for a hobby not to generate income? Don't most successful people have hobbies as their job? Still can't see the difference.

[orionblastar → miguelrochefort]

I am using the IRS definition of a hobby. If your business doesn't earn enough money the IRS classifies it as a hobby. Once you earn enough money it is no longer a hobby and must be taxed.