What Middle-Aged White Men Fear
Good newsletter here from Anne Helen Petersen about different ways we’re all feeling burned out, and how that’s leading to supposedly “radical” views like embracing Universal Basic Income in the future. There are lots of good quotes from her readers in here, including stuff like:
“I’m basically convinced that a 25-hour work week with five 5-hour days would be at least as productive as our current system.”
Yea. I’ve been saying that for seven years. Not sure anyone listens, tho.
Now, in the whole newsletter, this might be the best part. It’s obvious to some, but not to many:
There’s an impulse, sometimes, to compare those bogeymen with some of the forces invoked by collectivists — that identifying “capitalism” as the source of societal ill is no less ridiculous than, say, “critical race theory.” But there are differences, and they’re largely directional. One form of radicalism identifies the problem with the existing world, and wants to rebuild it into something new. The other form identifies the problem with what they view as the encroaching world, and wants to preserve the status quo — or revert to a previous one, in which they and others like them (particularly in race, but also in age, and vocation, and location) can recoup some of the societal privilege they’ve “lost.”
That’s a nice encapsulation of where we’re at right now. One side is concerned about the existing world and how to make it better in the future. The other side is concerned with the encroaching world and what it will do to how they understand success, relevance, and legacy.
Look at another “hot topic” story of the day: SCOTUS overturned the eviction moratorium. Look at this take, which I’d argue is accurate:
Of course. But … and this is an important but … what if you are the type of person who views “loss of profit” as almost akin to loss of life? Or what if your narrative is “Well, the tenants were sitting on their asses getting unemployment, and the landlords deserved this protection from a high court!” It’s all about your belief structure and narrative. You can view this as a fear of the encroaching world — “So what, no one is going to work anymore? Everyone will be on the government dole? Jesus, these fucking woke assholes…” — or you can view it as a problem with the existing world, i.e. maybe we needed a better plan here in the first place.
That’s going to determine where you come down on so many issues: when you think it’s an existing problem (often the left), or an encroaching problem (often the right). But that’s the line.
What else you got?
Consultant specializing in Election Integrity and Cloud AI frameworks and Cryptology technologies. Maryland coordinator for implementing the FAIRtax.
5 个月The 80:20 rule applies. 20% are working 60 hour weeks keeping businesses a float. That's not flipping burgers at fast food joint either. France is working 35 hour weeks - but they roll at manana pace. You are just padding the 80% bloat and overhead.
Digital Nomad - Remote Contractor
5 个月Universal Basic Income ... Such a great idea; Marx & Lenin would be proud ... y'all need to read some history before marching down that street.
Business Owner @ Rece | Political Science, Communication, Teamwork
5 个月Very informative what I can say I or we do our best find good solutions and study to help every person every country for what is good for them and to there family .all problems we always find solution .trust faith unite helping us and give us moral support so that we can contenue to give you s good results .Have a nice day almighty one bless all of us always.