In pursuit of the four hour work day

I recently re-read and essay by Bertrand Russell entitled "In Praise Of Idleness." He advocates the idea of a four hour work day. Wouldn't we all love to work a four hour work day? What would in entail? In Russell's words "...as soon as the NECESSARRIES and ELEMENTARY comforts can be provided for all, to reduce the hours of labour gradually, allowing a popular vote to decide, at each stage, whether more leisure or more goods were to be preferred." I know what you're thinking, to define necessary and elementary comforts appears to be an insermountable task, but a four hour work day is a huge incentive to witling down wants and needs to necessary and elementary comforts. What would the rest of the day consist of? Fulfilling curiosity in anything you were interested in. Maybe finding a cure for cancer. Creating art for yourself. Participating in leisure activities instead of passive leisure activities. For example playing football instead of watching football. Putting on a play instead of watching television. Pursuing your dream without being poor and hungry.

We have all been told that if we work had (i.e. long hours) we will one day attain our dreams (in the distant future). Why can't we attain our dreams now? What would this mean? A reduction in material possessions for all, i.e. less consumption. The belief that people can be happy without material possessions. Do you really need that x-box? I'm not saying that you can't have the x-box, but the x-box must be obtained from other source of trade not you're four hour work day.

If everyone who can work did and a common foundation of what is necessary is written, the idea of a four hour workday does not seem so far fetched. Our common goal: The four hour work day.

My list of what is necessary and elementary:

Running Water
Food
Shelter
Clothing
Electricity
Education
Health Care
National Defense (not offensive)

What do you think? Do you have anything to add or subtract from the list?