I think the key distinction is in “recreation” vs. “entertainment.” Entertainment is fleeting and often mindless, whereas recreation is just what is says “re-creation,” allowing us to develop our minds and/or bodies and to re-create ourselves in a positive way.

Entertainment is usually a waste of money (like the $200 we spent on one day at a theme park last summer, where we were all miserable by 6 p.m.), but recreation is worth the money because it enhances your life and you often talk about it for years and years (like the $500 vacation when we all hiked in the Rocky Mountains).

Is “Mad Men” an escape for me? It usually makes me think, so probably not. Even a trashy novel or video game can have recreational worth if it makes you reflect on your own life or zone out in a restorative way. When we turn to an activity in avoidance of responsibilities or despite negative consequences, it has become a problem. My use of the internet nowadays expands my horizons, keeps me connected to people I care about and saves me money. A few years ago, I was a full-fledged online addict, visiting purient websites, sleeping with strangers and wasting tons of money on eBay and other shopping sites. It can be hard to detect when a harmless activity for many becomes detrimental for you, but it’s possible to become addicted to almost anything.