I had cause to think about Flicking today. I wrote about it on my coaching site in 2006
It’s a term that I think should be more widespread in conversation.
My short definition:
Doing something “kind of” important in order to avoid doing something REALLY important.
On the off-hand chance that the site will evaporate into the ether.. here’s that content.
The Art of Actively Avoiding Work
Commonly practiced at Caltech, flicking is not the same as malingering, shirking, or idling, although it may bear some superficial resemblance. It generally manifests itself in playing games, especially with toys, or perhaps as reading comic books, watching TV, or mudding. The work normally being avoided is homework.
True masters of the art may also practice advanced flicking. This rarefied art is in concept very simple: it involves doing other, less important work, rather than the true work at hand.
Even normally onerous and necessary jobs such as dishwashing are advanced flicking, if a paper is due on the next day.
Homework itself may be advanced flicking if it is more necessary for the dishes to be washed.
I had no idea there was still so much here!
Amber geeks may speculate on the possible existence of exalted flicking. That is because Amber geeks are often very silly.
Flicking / Flick / © 1997 The Other Gretchen / Credits: Pixelsight
Last modified: April 24, 1997 / webmaster@flick.com
