On Work
This is a collection of essays from the author all about the culture of work. Thompson covers our move from religious accomplishment as a defining factor of our lives in previous generations, to how we've supplanted that need for accomplishment with workism, the worship of work.

The biggest benefit to reading this short book was pulling out all the references to other books that I should add to my library and take the time to read. If you
https://curtismchale.ca/book/on-work/

#workism #book

I’ve been struggling lately with the concept of #workism and the impact it’s had on my life. As a #newmom, I want to spend time with my #baby, but feel guilty because I should be working. The reverse is also true. #momguilt is quite real and #society is complicit in abandoning #mothers.

At what point do we end it? When are we allowed to draw the line and say “no more?”

Eh, it’s #teatime now. Then back to work to prep for the week.

It's clear from the newest Pew data
That parents ought to be aware
That chasing success and hard work
May be what's standing in their way

#workism #parenting #grandkids #pewstudy #poetry

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/27/opinion/pew-parents.html

People are so brainwashed into the cult of capitalism, that they can't even recognize "#workism."

Basically it's the idea that you're defined by your "#productivity." "High energy" is just another way of saying "I'm super productive." But producing what?

It's like we love to talk about "free speech" but refuse to talk about content. Sometimes #freespeech is just freedom to hate.

If I'm a "high energy" person, but what I produce is destructive to humanity and the Earth, then what I'm doing with my life is even more destructive than if I was a "low energy" person.

It's the same basic problem as the measure of #gdp What is the product? Health? Happiness? Progress? Or is it more "things" that lead to more oil and gas consumption and pollution that's killing us all?

There's a number of books like Utopia for Realists and Bullshit Jobs that shatter the productivity myths. Unfortunately, people are so programmed to value generic productivity over raising uncomfortable questions, that it's a hard sell to even raise the topic of, "what the fuck are we doing as a society, and why?"

Raising that question is like being the proverbial skunk at the #capitalist garden party.