德国大学发放“闲人补助金”

陕西 范宝利

德国一所大学近期颁布了“闲人补助金”计划，以鼓励“积极的不作为”行为，并提醒人们重新审视个人的可持续发展与成功的关系。

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A German university offered“idleness grants” to applicants who were seriously committed to doing sweet nothing.

The University of Fine Arts in Hamburg advertised three 1,600 euros scholarship places to applicants from across Germany.The applicants could submit their anonymous applications and had to convince a jury that their chosen area of “active inactivity” is particularly impressive or relevant.

The application form consists of only four questions: What do you not want to do? How long do you not want to do it? Why is it important not to do this thing in particular? Why are you the right person not to do it?

“Doing nothing isn't very easy,” said Friedrich von Borries, an architect and design theorist who came up with the programme. “We want to focus on active inactivity. If you say you are not going to move for a week, then that's impressive. If you propose you are not going to move or think, that might be even better.”

The idea behind the project arose from a discussion about the seeming contradiction （矛盾） of a society that promotes sustainability （持续性） while valuing success at the same time. This scholarship programme was not a joke but an experiment with serious intentions—how can you turn a society that is judged by achievements and accomplishments on its head?

The university handed out the grant upon the delivery of an “experience report” in 2021.The grant did not depend on impact, and those who failed to live up to their promises would not be punished.

Applicants were free to determine the length of their inactivity according to what kind of active inactivity they chose. All their applications would form part of an exhibition named The School of Inconsequentiality（无关紧要）:Towards A Better Life. It focused on the question: “What can I refrain （克制）from so that my life has fewer negative effects on the lives of others?”

Reading Check

Do you think it meaningful to offer idleness grants? Why?

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