The culture of the eight-hour workday is big business’ most powerful tool for keeping people in this same dissatisfied state where the answer to every problem is to buy something.
Must read. I’m really interested in what shapes my/our consumer mentality. This article speaks to many of the well-paid tech workers that spend because they can.
As technologies and methods advanced, workers in all industries became able to produce much more value in a shorter amount of time. You’d think this would lead to shorter workdays. But the 8-hour workday is too profitable for big business, not because of the amount of work people get done in eight hours (...) but because it makes for such a purchase-happy public. Keeping free time scarce means people pay a lot more for convenience, gratification, and any other relief they can buy. It keeps them watching television, and its commercials. It keeps them unambitious outside of work.
When the author went back to work, they found themselves to be spending more and doing less wholesome activities. I didn't work from 2006 to 2017 due to disability. In 2008 our US healthcare system mandated that I work, even if it kills me, otherwise, no Drs and meds, which will kill me.
That last paragraph has nothing to do with the article, except that I noticed the same thing. I wrote more, exercised more, and so on when I didn't work. Fortunately I only work part-time, so I'm not totally back into no time for anything except work and trying to recover from work, which I've now learned is the desired state for consumers.
Binge-watching, binge-eating, binge-shopping
Must read. I’m really interested in what shapes my/our consumer mentality. This article speaks to many of the well-paid tech workers that spend because they can.
Yes. Echo: Must read. I love David Cain. The expression "keeping up with the Joneses" is really trending right now, on Readup and in my life
Another great article.
When the author went back to work, they found themselves to be spending more and doing less wholesome activities. I didn't work from 2006 to 2017 due to disability. In 2008 our US healthcare system mandated that I work, even if it kills me, otherwise, no Drs and meds, which will kill me.
That last paragraph has nothing to do with the article, except that I noticed the same thing. I wrote more, exercised more, and so on when I didn't work. Fortunately I only work part-time, so I'm not totally back into no time for anything except work and trying to recover from work, which I've now learned is the desired state for consumers.