Antiwork 2: No One Is Getting A Pay Raise

[MissThundercat]

My gym banned a member, older yt lady in her late 60s, for being a super judgmental b-tch. Lowlights include:

Calling members bipolar
Intentionally mispronouncing my boss's name
Calling me an R slur and other hurtful things
Complaining about the music with racist undertones (the gym was playing rap music)

Yesterday, when she was confronted about the ban, she admitted to intentionally ignoring our regional manager's calls and refused to take any sort of accountability.

 

[Kepler]

Everything about retirement underscores everything I thought about working. Work is reducing yourself to office equipment. It is inherently dehumanizing. I am completely human again for the first time in 37 years. That was a tough prison sentence.

Anybody tries to tell you work is ennobling, laugh in their face or punch them in the mouth; your choice.

 

[MichVandal]

Everything about retirement underscores everything I thought about working. Work is reducing yourself to office equipment. It is inherently dehumanizing. I am completely human again for the first time in 37 years. That was a tough prison sentence.

Anybody tries to tell you work is ennobling, laugh in their face or punch them in the mouth; your choice.

I'm pretty amused when people think they are going to be bored during retirement. So they have plans to work. Not that they need the money, but that working is something to do. As if you can't find something better to do. Fun projects, travel, volunteering for some important organization, see shows, etc. Not working for someone else- who makes more money off your work than they pay you for.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

I'm pretty amused when people think they are going to be bored during retirement. So they have plans to work. Not that they need the money, but that working is something to do. As if you can't find something better to do. Fun projects, travel, volunteering for some important organization, see shows, etc. Not working for someone else- who makes more money off your work than they pay you for.

If only a third of Americans could understand this…

 

[MichVandal]

If only a third of Americans could understand this…

Remember, we have been sold the myth of working hard for someone else is a moral thing to do. Even Mark Twain made fun of this 150 years ago.

It would be hard to see that change. It's even embedded in American Christianity.

I really wish I could see a path to what you want.

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

I have been going to the same place for work for nearly 7 years. I say same place, because we've been owned by 3 different companies in that time. Now my boss/plant manager put in his 2 weeks notice, which means we will be on to plant manager number 5 (or number 8 counting interims) in those 7 years.

It stinks 'cause I liked this one and have zero respect for the guy that will be interim

 

[Kepler]

Remember, we have been sold the myth of working hard for someone else is a moral thing to do. Even Mark Twain made fun of this 150 years ago.

It would be hard to see that change. It's even embedded in American Christianity.

I really wish I could see a path to what you want.

The Myth of Hard Work

Work is often seen as a romantic notion.

medium.com

The insincere play a game of extremes. If hard work is questioned, they immediately jump to the opposite extreme, suggesting that the alternative is lying on the couch. This mindset reveals a lack of interest in the truth, instead focusing on upholding societal principles and avoiding genuine examination.

 

[MichVandal]

The Myth of Hard Work

Work is often seen as a romantic notion.

medium.com

We've also been constantly sold the myth that war is honorable. Which is total BS. It's really a failure.

 

[SJHovey]

Everything about retirement underscores everything I thought about working. Work is reducing yourself to office equipment. It is inherently dehumanizing. I am completely human again for the first time in 37 years. That was a tough prison sentence.

Anybody tries to tell you work is ennobling, laugh in their face or punch them in the mouth; your choice.

I think every single retired person that I've ever talked to says some variation of the same thing: Retirement is the best job they ever had.

I'm glad that you are also enjoying it.

I think I'm a little bit older than you based upon previous posts, and contrary to the wishes of my wife, I have chosen to not yet retire. It's not out of need. It is a voluntary decision. I will offer you my perspective as to why.

First, I kind of like what I do. I find it interesting. Like any other person, I have good days and bad. But it's obviously not something that I dread.

I also look at it like this. We, as the human race, live on a planet where generally speaking, I think we have a much, much higher standard of living than humans living 200 years ago had. And I like that. I like that I have indoor plumbing and electricity and medicine that helps me get well and a car that takes me from place to place, instead of a horse.

I believe that bettering that standard of living requires the labor of humans. Yes, we need scientists and doctors and engineers to design these products or invent these medicines, but we also need the rest of us to see that food is grown to feed those engineers and scientists, and clothing is manufactured to clothe them, etc... It's all sort of a collective effort, and we each do our own little part, whether it's finding a cure for cancer, or babysitting the children of the cancer scientist.

I've been blessed with good health and my mind has not yet left me (as far as I can tell). I'm not going to try to fool anyone into thinking that my contribution would be missed, but I'm still capable of grabbing an oar and helping to pull us along, and so I do it. Others did it when I was a child and not capable of helping, and I'm sure still others will do so once I'm too feeble to be of assistance.

 

[MichVandal]

I think every single retired person that I've ever talked to says some variation of the same thing: Retirement is the best job they ever had.

I'm glad that you are also enjoying it.

I think I'm a little bit older than you based upon previous posts, and contrary to the wishes of my wife, I have chosen to not yet retire. It's not out of need. It is a voluntary decision. I will offer you my perspective as to why.

First, I kind of like what I do. I find it interesting. Like any other person, I have good days and bad. But it's obviously not something that I dread.

I also look at it like this. We, as the human race, live on a planet where generally speaking, I think we have a much, much higher standard of living than humans living 200 years ago had. And I like that. I like that I have indoor plumbing and electricity and medicine that helps me get well and a car that takes me from place to place, instead of a horse.

I believe that bettering that standard of living requires the labor of humans. Yes, we need scientists and doctors and engineers to design these products or invent these medicines, but we also need the rest of us to see that food is grown to feed those engineers and scientists, and clothing is manufactured to cloth them, etc... It's all sort of a collective effort, and we each do our own little part, whether it's finding a cure for cancer, or babysitting the children of the cancer scientist.

I've been blessed with good health and my mind has not yet left me (as far as I can tell). I'm not going to try to fool anyone into thinking that my contribution would be missed, but I'm still capable of grabbing an oar and helping to pull us along, and so I do it. Others did it when I was a child and not capable of helping, and I'm sure still others will do so once I'm too feeble to be of assistance.

Yet by hanging on, you prevent someone else an opportunity when you no longer really need it anymore.

So which is actually better for increasing the system standard of living- your keeping to work and earning money that you may never use or letting someone new do the same work and adding another person to the consumer rolls?

 

[psych]

Hanging on? Doesn’t he own his own business? Let the man work. My Dad worked up until he was 75. He was a clinical psychologist. Took a ton of pride in his work. I assume Hovey is the same.

 

[MichVandal]

Hanging on? Doesn’t he own his own business? Let the man work. My Dad worked up until he was 75. He was a clinical psychologist. Took a ton of pride in his work. I assume Hovey is the same.

When is enough enough?

If people want to work their way to their grave, go for it, but lets not pretend that it's for some grand help for society or for the future. At some point, it's better for the overall economy to spend your money and let someone else earn their own to spend.

It's fine to take pride in your work. I did, too.

 

[walrus]

I'm glad I don't hate the last 37 years of my life like kep does .

 

[unofan]

Hanging on? Doesn’t he own his own business? Let the man work. My Dad worked up until he was 75. He was a clinical psychologist. Took a ton of pride in his work. I assume Hovey is the same.

I take pride in my work to the extent that I do it well. But it's work, not super happy fun time. If I could maintain the same standard of living in a less demanding job or one that gave me more free time to enjoy my hobbies and family, I 100% would.

I'm not working a single day longer than I need to to ensure my daughter gets an education and I can live reasonably well and travel as desired in retirement. Right now I'm expecting I can retire around 60 - my daughter will be a couple years out of undergrad by then and our house should be paid off. At that point, it's mainly a matter of health care and how to handle that until I'm medicare eligible (assuming it still exists).

 

[SJHovey]

I don't begrudge anyone for retiring. I don't think they're slackers or a drain on the community or anything else. I think it's great that Kep is happy.

I'm just saying that "work as a prison sentence" isn't the only perspective. I like whatever contribution I feel like I can make. That is all.

 

[psych]

When is enough enough?

If people want to work their way to their grave, go for it, but lets not pretend that it's for some grand help for society or for the future. At some point, it's better for the overall economy to spend your money and let someone else earn their own to spend.

It's fine to take pride in your work. I did, too.

On a macro level, you’re probably right…but Hovey isn’t saying the way he’s providing for society is superior to other people’s contributions. He just said he likes being along for the ride. For once, maybe twice now, I’m going to agree with the man. He’s clearly with it, likes what he does, and wants to keep doing it, even if he and his family are set for life. Go for it, Hovey. Permission granted. I know you need to hear that from me.

 

[psych]

I take pride in my work to the extent that I do it well. But it's work, not super happy fun time. If I could maintain the same standard of living in a less demanding job or one that gave me more free time to enjoy my hobbies and family, I 100% would.

I'm not working a single day longer than I need to to ensure my daughter gets an education and I can live reasonably well and travel as desired in retirement. Right now I'm expecting I can retire around 60 - my daughter will be a couple years out of undergrad by then and our house should be paid off. At that point, it's mainly a matter of health care and how to handle that until I'm medicare eligible (assuming it still exists).

Knock yourself out good sir. Retiring at 60 is a luxury some of us won’t have.

 

[Deutsche Gopher Fan]

On a macro level, you’re probably right…but Hovey isn’t saying the way he’s providing for society is superior to other people’s contributions. He just said he likes being along for the ride. For once, maybe twice now, I’m going to agree with the man. He’s clearly with it, likes what he does, and wants to keep doing it, even if he and his family are set for life. Go for it, Hovey. Permission granted. I know you need to hear that from me.

As long as those people don’t push their work ethic obsession on others, I agree- who cares.

As I’ve said before, too many think suffering is the point of life.

 

[LynahFan]

One of my grandfathers retired at 55 after his company got bought out by a big corporation. The other, veterinarian, “worked” well into his 80s, mainly treating friends’ cats and dogs from his home office. He also regularly held vaccination and spay/neuter clinics for the neighborhood. After he bought my grandmother a stunning diamond for their 50th anniversary, my uncle commented, “To pay for that, there’s not going to be a fertile cat left in Cortland County.”

I will definitely be somewhere in the middle.

 

[St. Clown]

As long as those people don’t push their work ethic obsession on others, I agree- who cares.

As I’ve said before, too many think suffering is the point of life.

I think that’s called either “Catholicism” or “Judaism”.