Richard Linklater's movie Slacker may reference R.L. Stevenson's "Apology for Idlers," but Linklater himself admitted that it was a "kiss-off to a certain mindset - wallowing in negativity and being very alienated." Dr. Johnson, that great supporter of idleness, frowned upon those so-called idlers who "boast that they do nothing, and thank their stars that they have nothing to do," and who "exist in a state of unruffled stupidity, forgetting and forgotten; who have long ceased to live." Unlike the idler, in whom work and leisure have combined to become something fine, the slacker remains unhappily trapped in that dichotomy. See: DODGER, LEISURELY, FREE TIME, KILL TIME, SLACKNESS, VACATION.

a person who shirks their work or duty (especially one who tries to evade military service in wartime)

The term slacker was commonly used in the United States in World War I and World War II to describe men who were avoiding the military draft. But in the 90s it specifically referred to a variety of tendencies in the young generation—a use popularized by Richard Linklater's movie Slacker - subsequently spawning the label "slacker generation." A typical slacker is characterized by a static, unenthusiastic air manifesting in an apparent lack of effort.

Slacker (1991) is an influential American independent film directed by Richard Linklater. Linklater also wrote the screenplay and acted in the film. Slacker was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize - Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival in 1991.

Slacker, real name Shem McCauley, is an electronic music producer and owner of the Jukebox in the Sky record label. He is also well known under his guise as "Head Honcho". Slacker has released records on many labels including XL Recordings, Loaded Records, and Perfecto Records.