READ ME!
What is this all about? Maybe you should read the READ ME READ ME.
september 16, 1996: werk
I think that one of the roadblocks I, as well as other people who seem to share somewhat of a similar philosophy, find in our pursuit towards functioning in the conventional workplace is our recognition that, fundamentally, work is not only unnecessary, but is also destructive to ourselves, to society, and to our planet.
Bob Black discussed these issues with a certain level of clarity. I do note, however, that I take strong offense at Black's baseless assertion thaf "feminists don't care which form bossing takes, so long as the bosses are women." That is outright wrong. For example, radical feminism, including, but not limited to, the works of Bell Hooks, Andrea Dworkin, Marge Piercy, Catharine MacKinnon, and John Stoltenberg, focus unforgivingly on the nature and definition of power. What does it take to get a man actually to read a work of feminist philosophy?
Regardless, even though I am not a hedonist (although I do tend to be self indulgent from time to time, I must confess), I cannot help but agree with Black that the work world is killing us and our planet.
Many people I respect do actually work. My family members all have jobs that appear actually useful in the context of our capitalistic and exploitative system (teacher of children, judge of disputes between banks and people; renegotiator of payment plans for broke people; organizer of labor unions for disempowered workers). But some others of my friends work at jobs that are a little more difficult to justify (marketing, advertising, corporate ass-kissing). I hear them attempt to resolve their cognitive dissonance: "No, NIKE does NOT use child labor!" Yeah, my ass.
Really, since our money-based system exists, we have to go make some. But at least admit it. Admit that you are doing something that most likely ranges from marginal utility to outright harm, but you feel forced to in the context of a working world. I sure damn well feel forced.
If I did not have to work, I would read more literature, play with children, write a novel, make a film that would help people understand themselves, each other, and the world with better clarity, and produce music to which people could cleanse and celebrate.
I will get myself to get a job. But only with the clenched teeth and fury of a person who knows that she could contribute so much more to the world if she did not have to live in it the way it presently exists.
or, if you must, back to Rebecca's Revenge
Copyright 1996 Rebecca Eisenberg mars@bossanova.com. All rights Reserved.