Economists Are Obsessed with “Job Creation.” How About Less Work?

submitted by Mnemonic from (evonomics.com)

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[–]fred_red_beans 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Another effect of everyone working so much is that there is much less time for people to communicate with each other. While we are out working we depend on small groups of administrators, politicians, judges, and corporations take responsibility for issues that face us and our communities. Most people have little to no interaction with the workings of our political, judicial, or educational systems. We are only allowed to influence them by proxy via elections. Responsibility is lifted from us by these institutions, and we are much poorer for it. It could be seen as less efficient for groups of people to take the time be able to come to consensus on issues, but if people had more time in the first place, we would all have to learn to take responsibility for ourselves as a group or community. Currently most people are so concerned about just making it and chasing the dollar that they are distracted from other things, that while would take some work, may have a greater value.

Congressmen and senators don't care about what their constituents really think or care about, they only want to know what message will help their re-election and what they can do for their donors.

Most people don't have any idea how many are in their county jail. Shouldn't the people in a community have a say or at least some insight into the how members of their community are being "corrected" and why? Judges are appointed by politicians.

Corporations fund the colleges to ensure they get the next generation of employees they want.

It doesn't have to be this way, but while we complain about the conditions imposed upon us by the system, it is also our collective choice to continue to engage in it.

[–]sodasplash 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

It doesn't have to be this way, but while we complain about the conditions imposed upon us by the system, it is also our collective choice to continue to engage in it.

Choose "No."

Exceptionally apt comment. I would also add medical. We are told to not think for ourselves but trust learned individuals. And yet, especially when it comes to something like our own physical well being, if you go to for a second opinion, there's an 80% chance that the second opinion will be entirely the opposite of the first opinion.

This is actually true in many walks of life. Yet so few people realize this because they barely have "time" to get a well informed first opinion.

Opinions are the same as assholes. Everyone has them. Especially doctors and lawyers.

[–]wizzwizz4 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

if you go to for a second opinion, there's an 80% chance that the second opinion will be entirely the opposite of the first opinion.

Of course, this only applies for certain things. For something like "is it important to eat food" or "should I get my broken leg set", the decision won't be controversial. "Is chemotherapy or radiotherapy a better choice" will probably get you a different answer, if only because it's a false dichotomy.