Tom Hodgkinson (born 1968) is a British writer and the editor of The Idler, which he established in 1993 with his friend Gavin Pretor-Pinney. His philosophy, in his published books and articles, is of a relaxed approach to life, enjoying it as it comes rather than toiling for an imagined better future. His philosophy of the Idle Parent is very much in tune with Carl Honore's Slow parenting, although with a more light-hearted self interest in drinking and sex.
Hodgkinson was born in New Castle, England, and educated at Westminster School and Jesus College, Cambridge. He currently lives in North Devon.
Hodgkinson has contributed articles to The Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian and The Sunday Times as well as being the author of the Idler spin-off, How To Be Idle, How To Be Free and The Idle Parent. In 2006 he created National Unawareness Day, to be celebrated on 1 November.
The Freedom Manifesto: How to Free Yourself from Anxiety, Fear, Mortgages, Money, Guilt, Debt, Government, Boredom, Supermarkets, Bills, Melancholy, Pain, Depression, Work, and Waste (December 2007; the US release of How to Be Free)