ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the conceptualisation and interrelatedness of leisure concepts as approaches to reality and life; reflection on the implications they have for thinking about leisure; considering alternative theories for describing modern times; and also with looking into the implications they might have for thinking about leisure. Modernity and postmodernity are modes of thinking about reality and life that currently exist next to each other. It is even possible that a person who is fully modern also employs postmodern thinking. Spracklen, in drawing on the work of Habermas, acknowledges in line with Rojek and Blackshaw that leisure has grown into a domain in which identity and intentionality have received a fluid character, but firmly believes that the liquidity is essentially solidified due to the 'ontological and epistemological frameworks' that are used today. The four core processes of modernity – individualisation, domestication, rationalisation and differentiation – are all closely related to the increase of speed.
