 Ultra-modern slaveryRecently there was an article in The Age newspaper by Alain De Botton, regarding work, and the modern perception of its importance. In modern society, he said work has become a symbol of you status in society, one of the first thing you ask a new acquiantance is 'what do you do'. Whereas in times past, even a soon as 200 years ago work was considered a chore and something to be avoided. The Greeks considered a good life to be one lived with plenty of free time, and an independant source of income, in order to contemplate the meaning of it all, life the universe etc. work was something you were forced to do, or endured because of your unlucky lot in life. We now seem completely obsessed with full-employment. Working and wealth creation have become the indicator of a successful life and we have forgoten to even think why? The modern society seems to have kept all of us in a modern slavery, whereby we must continue to work in order to earn income, stay 'competitive' and have self worth by spending our income on consumables or on 'in fashion' clothes, cars, housing, and food. In order to still feel worthy of an existence, of popularity, one must keep earning, preferably more and more, and keep buying more and more. And that in itself seems to have become the purpose to the ultra-modern persons life. The contemplation to give yourself and or others enough time to contemplate your own existence seems shunned upon, and people may even be scared of doing so, in fear of becoming depressed or confused. This is due to lake of education and will. The ultra-moderns have become all consumed in the most shallow form of existence, the flashy bower bird who slaves 60 hours a week, and wonders why they end up on prozac. We as people priviliged with more than our forebares owe it to them to use our wealth to contemplate the human existence, and hopefully move us forward intellectually and spiritually. And one day to a world where we escape cyclical stupidity and constant work for no end. David Campbell Editor |
||||
| About JeSaurai | Contact Editor | Newsletter | Advertise here | T&C |
| © JeSaurai.net 2006 | ||||