I just came across this New Yorker article, which would have been interesting to include in my post: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/office-space/lessons-from-the-deep-history-of-work. The author suggests that looking at our more natural state of working could help improve the way we work now. All good thoughts, but there's still so much in our system that just doesn't support a healthy way of working.
I am a therapist in private practice so I have the luxury of creating my own schedule. I decided many years ago to devote weekday mornings to maintaining my mental and physical health; Monday-Thursday I see clients in the in the afternoon until 5 or 6. Sounds idyllic, but there are challenges different from the 9-5er, who has a reliable income, vacation and sick-leave, and often times, an employer who contributes to an IRA. Soooo-there are trade-offs: I have the luxury of being able to create a work/life balance, but the responsibility to make enough money, have a meaningful social-life, do something creative and take the dog out. Okay-this is a description of
my puny, self-absorbed life. What about social responsibility? OMG-there are so many people suffering because of the inequities that exist in a capitalistic society! The only way out of this-we're talking about replacing "survival of the fittest" beliefs and actions with empathy, respect and fairness-is to adopt a system like Denmark that lives these values. You can call it socialism, social
democracy or just plain humanism: These values translate concretely into the basic human right for adequate food, shelter, medical care, education and social security in old age. The solution is actually very simple, but the means is another story: WE ELEVATE THE POORER HUMAN POPULATIONS BY TAXING THE WEALTHIER SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY AT A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATE. Can it work? Does it work? Yes-it does work. It works in countries where the wealthy are willing to share their wealth, are not threatened, and see the adjustments as a win-win proposition that reduce division and increase social stability; everybody wins. The difficulty of implementing this plan is the fear of change; Here-in lies the challenge. So-why do we work so much? The capitalist system allows a small segment of the population to accumulate great wealth and power over most others, to determine hours, wages and benefits. The worker needs to work to survive and take care of her/his family, but is powerless to thrive unless the system reigns-in these inequities. Capitalism creates great opportunities, but allows for great excesses and inequalities. My view of capitalism may seem draconian because I believe it is: the dangers of capitalism far out-way the advantages; The safety and stability of a humanistic, social democracy far out-way any difficulties the wealthy population will have to endure. Of course, I need to actually participate concretely to help create this change , but I don't, as of yet, know what that is.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Ben! It is indeed the system that needs to change — and when you look at so many of our current problems, what's at the root is the capitalist system in particular. What do we replace it with? There's nothing perfect, but something along the lines of Denmark would indeed be better. How do we make the change? That's a tough one and will require concerted and coordinated effort. It's hard for one individual with limited time and energy to know where to begin ...
Nov 30, 2022·edited Nov 30, 2022Liked by Rosana Francescato
Great insights! Big subject. I know I have a complicated relationship with work. Even before I was a teen I was hustling yard jobs in the neighborhood to translate that into a bike (and yard tools so I could offer better "services"). I put myself on that damned treadmill as a kid, but what choice did I have? Only now, after a lifetime of uneven work experiences, small humiliations, disciplining myself to save money and not overspend, and being lucky enough to have a few nickels and dimes stored away in a 401k, do I wonder: what was it all for? Did I just fool myself by constantly pushing that boulder, a modern day Sisyphus, day after freakin' day? Or did I redeem myself in some way, so that I could be a responsible person, help my family (and not become a burden to others)? I confess, I'm not really sure. What I'd like to believe about (my) work does not really align to what seems to be (our) shared reality. As a working-in-capitalism culture, we seem to be less happy, less satisfied, less generous. And we seem to be more angry, more frustrated, and more suspicious. And I just hope I can let that boulder roll away before I'm so tired it just rolls over me.
Haha, great cartoon! Yes, we all get caught up in the treadmill — at least, most of us do. It's good to stop every now and then and evaluate whether we're where we want to be and how we can change our life to gain more balance.
The book "Work Won't Love You Back" deepened my understanding of how work has changed in the US over the decades and was helpful as I transitioned to a sabbatical. I was deriving a lot of my worth through what my job was, and it this helped me start deprogramming that.
A year or so in from taking a pause from work (afforded by living on a boat for five years beforehand), it still surprises me how full a day can feel taking care of the domestics, self, and a creative pursuit here and there. I'm not sure how I'll spring back to the break neck pace of overwork.
Thanks for the book rec! I too have been surprised at how busy I was when on breaks from work, though the longest was two months. I hope you're thoroughly enjoying your sea-batical! It's awesome that you guys have taken the time for such a wonderful adventure. Best wishes for easing back in and avoiding a crazy pace.
I just came across this New Yorker article, which would have been interesting to include in my post: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/office-space/lessons-from-the-deep-history-of-work. The author suggests that looking at our more natural state of working could help improve the way we work now. All good thoughts, but there's still so much in our system that just doesn't support a healthy way of working.
I am a therapist in private practice so I have the luxury of creating my own schedule. I decided many years ago to devote weekday mornings to maintaining my mental and physical health; Monday-Thursday I see clients in the in the afternoon until 5 or 6. Sounds idyllic, but there are challenges different from the 9-5er, who has a reliable income, vacation and sick-leave, and often times, an employer who contributes to an IRA. Soooo-there are trade-offs: I have the luxury of being able to create a work/life balance, but the responsibility to make enough money, have a meaningful social-life, do something creative and take the dog out. Okay-this is a description of
my puny, self-absorbed life. What about social responsibility? OMG-there are so many people suffering because of the inequities that exist in a capitalistic society! The only way out of this-we're talking about replacing "survival of the fittest" beliefs and actions with empathy, respect and fairness-is to adopt a system like Denmark that lives these values. You can call it socialism, social
democracy or just plain humanism: These values translate concretely into the basic human right for adequate food, shelter, medical care, education and social security in old age. The solution is actually very simple, but the means is another story: WE ELEVATE THE POORER HUMAN POPULATIONS BY TAXING THE WEALTHIER SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY AT A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATE. Can it work? Does it work? Yes-it does work. It works in countries where the wealthy are willing to share their wealth, are not threatened, and see the adjustments as a win-win proposition that reduce division and increase social stability; everybody wins. The difficulty of implementing this plan is the fear of change; Here-in lies the challenge. So-why do we work so much? The capitalist system allows a small segment of the population to accumulate great wealth and power over most others, to determine hours, wages and benefits. The worker needs to work to survive and take care of her/his family, but is powerless to thrive unless the system reigns-in these inequities. Capitalism creates great opportunities, but allows for great excesses and inequalities. My view of capitalism may seem draconian because I believe it is: the dangers of capitalism far out-way the advantages; The safety and stability of a humanistic, social democracy far out-way any difficulties the wealthy population will have to endure. Of course, I need to actually participate concretely to help create this change , but I don't, as of yet, know what that is.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Ben! It is indeed the system that needs to change — and when you look at so many of our current problems, what's at the root is the capitalist system in particular. What do we replace it with? There's nothing perfect, but something along the lines of Denmark would indeed be better. How do we make the change? That's a tough one and will require concerted and coordinated effort. It's hard for one individual with limited time and energy to know where to begin ...
Great insights! Big subject. I know I have a complicated relationship with work. Even before I was a teen I was hustling yard jobs in the neighborhood to translate that into a bike (and yard tools so I could offer better "services"). I put myself on that damned treadmill as a kid, but what choice did I have? Only now, after a lifetime of uneven work experiences, small humiliations, disciplining myself to save money and not overspend, and being lucky enough to have a few nickels and dimes stored away in a 401k, do I wonder: what was it all for? Did I just fool myself by constantly pushing that boulder, a modern day Sisyphus, day after freakin' day? Or did I redeem myself in some way, so that I could be a responsible person, help my family (and not become a burden to others)? I confess, I'm not really sure. What I'd like to believe about (my) work does not really align to what seems to be (our) shared reality. As a working-in-capitalism culture, we seem to be less happy, less satisfied, less generous. And we seem to be more angry, more frustrated, and more suspicious. And I just hope I can let that boulder roll away before I'm so tired it just rolls over me.
https://d3vjn2zm46gms2.cloudfront.net/blogs/2017/02/27003034/cncartoons_1300.jpg
Haha, great cartoon! Yes, we all get caught up in the treadmill — at least, most of us do. It's good to stop every now and then and evaluate whether we're where we want to be and how we can change our life to gain more balance.
The book "Work Won't Love You Back" deepened my understanding of how work has changed in the US over the decades and was helpful as I transitioned to a sabbatical. I was deriving a lot of my worth through what my job was, and it this helped me start deprogramming that.
A year or so in from taking a pause from work (afforded by living on a boat for five years beforehand), it still surprises me how full a day can feel taking care of the domestics, self, and a creative pursuit here and there. I'm not sure how I'll spring back to the break neck pace of overwork.
Thanks for the book rec! I too have been surprised at how busy I was when on breaks from work, though the longest was two months. I hope you're thoroughly enjoying your sea-batical! It's awesome that you guys have taken the time for such a wonderful adventure. Best wishes for easing back in and avoiding a crazy pace.
This post by another Substack writer is sobering: https://jessicawildfire.substack.com/p/the-government-just-railroaded-the