What hobbies are strategically good, and what hobbies are strategically bad?

Eg. it's strategically bad to concentrate too much on "multiplier" interests.

Examples of multiplier interests: psychology/sociology/politics, conversation, foreign languages.

wrt interest in foreign languages / cultures -

you'll never be more "authentic" than a native, so you can't build up to expert level (you're also at risk of cultural appropriation)

and if you ever move there, you'll be known for everything else BUT your love of the culture

it's strategically good to have a mix of hobbies that encourage doing things as a group (to keep meeting other people) - but not long-running stable groups (it's hard to get into one) - and solo hobbies (so that your sense of worth is not dependent on having a group)

food-oriented hobbies seem good (cooking, baking, cocktails) because they can be done solo but they promote social activity (sharing), and they make you a better host/guest

exercise-oriented hobbies seem good; they're the only hobby activity endorsed by productivity culture, and sometimes double as status signals

weight-lifting is popular among techbros, competitive yoga among women, and running among everyone

walking is full of retirees :/

art could have been good, but people tend to have overdeveloped taste (internet flooded with good art), so becoming good enough for public consumption requires an insane amount of practice

easy to lock yourself into a niche art like juggling https://twitter.com/lisatomic5/status/1283429185285787648

guitar playing used to be good, when paired with camping and singing camp songs

but i think these days might be dead now

social activities requiring body synchronisation (niche, i know) might be good! iirc, this is a way to foster a feeling of connection, and should help lift depression

i'm thinking of choir singing here, but dancing would also fit. maybe martial arts? maybe cheerleading?

i've had lots of "smart-but-cheap" hobbies, which gained me connections with the fringe and NGOs, and also sometimes working class people

except for the fringe weirdos, we didn't really have much in common

people who can afford to pass a gate, will congregate behind that gate