Do I want to be a productive member of society, if the society in question is an utter shambles?
February 24th 2009 00:41
Category: No Category
Yesterday a friend of mine expressed the desire to 'be a productive member of society', a sentiment I cannot relate to. You see, society is filled with people of lesser intelligence, less inner peace, less creativity, less self-indulgent altruism, less love of people and postmodernism. Do I want to join them, be dragged down by having to work with and for them, in the traditional way (i.e. working 9-5 in a set environment with a boss and a team of co-workers)? That sounds like it would make my soul wither and die.
I think the only option I have is to work with and for myself; be self-employed. It is true that I am right now working for Orble on a somewhat casual basis, but it's a relationship which makes me feel independent - I can write anything I want, as long as it fits with my theme on 'Postmodern Critic', and as long as I keep writing regularly. No problem there...
I can only be productive in society in the sense of subverting its conventional processes through writing and publishing my work, and hoping that this action has deeply felt consequences. I can be of help by applying my skills of deconstruction - the ones I learnt from the world - to the world. I have a love/hate, symbiotic relationship with society... I cannot either embrace it or shun it - I need it to thrive, and I need to constantly re-evaluate it in order to survive on the levels I desire.
I know I am pretty unique in the world, because I have no taste for the organised workplace. I don't want a pathway into it (such as uni or previous work experience), I don't see it as healthy, in fact I see it as artificial and detrimental to me well-being, creativity, innovation-making skills and livelihood.
But I'm not being unproductive now... I'm writing up a storm on the topic, adding to discourse which is given new context thanks to my perspective, and this all stimulates my own unique notion of productivity in the world. Amen.
I think the only option I have is to work with and for myself; be self-employed. It is true that I am right now working for Orble on a somewhat casual basis, but it's a relationship which makes me feel independent - I can write anything I want, as long as it fits with my theme on 'Postmodern Critic', and as long as I keep writing regularly. No problem there...
I can only be productive in society in the sense of subverting its conventional processes through writing and publishing my work, and hoping that this action has deeply felt consequences. I can be of help by applying my skills of deconstruction - the ones I learnt from the world - to the world. I have a love/hate, symbiotic relationship with society... I cannot either embrace it or shun it - I need it to thrive, and I need to constantly re-evaluate it in order to survive on the levels I desire.
I know I am pretty unique in the world, because I have no taste for the organised workplace. I don't want a pathway into it (such as uni or previous work experience), I don't see it as healthy, in fact I see it as artificial and detrimental to me well-being, creativity, innovation-making skills and livelihood.
But I'm not being unproductive now... I'm writing up a storm on the topic, adding to discourse which is given new context thanks to my perspective, and this all stimulates my own unique notion of productivity in the world. Amen.
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Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Thanks for your comment, it reminded me of the movie Revolutionary Road - have you seen it?
I'm terrified of lowering my standards adequately so that I open myself up to participating in rituals of conformity which reinforce the status quo. I love rediscovering myself as I write and sing.
Comment by Teresa Ralton
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
Just reading what you wrote then, something flashed into my mind, something that I saw on tv? movie? - it might come to me later - anyway, the point being made was that people needed the element of choice to have a happy life. Sometimes its just easier to do the things the expected way. But if you're free in your mind you'll always be unique.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i think im far more useful to society now than i ever was in a full-time job, the thing with jobs is that theyre structured to be 90% time-wasting with output expectations being very low
i feel much better having produced a few articles a week than having spent a week successfully staggered my coffee and toilet breaks to give the appearance of being busy
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
As you know, the longest time I have kept a job for is two weeks - while I feel pressured at home to enter the workplace in the very capacity I am seeking to avoid, my personality pretty much ensures that I will not be doing this anytime soon.
I'm glad that you are finding great satisfaction from writing - I think, with time, and as we get more experience, we should both be able to pick up writing jobs that are better paid.
Comment by Banana Mango
Quotable Quips
Banana and Mango
A lot of people get a sense of purpose out of being "productive members of society" as you put it, and good on them, but I am certainly more like you than them.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Doing what everyone else did never gave me a sense of purpose...