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Or the opposite, be someone who is taken care of by the government. The most relaxed people I've met were the welfare people in my old neighborhood. They had en

Or the opposite, be someone who is taken care of by the government. The most relaxed people I've met were the welfare people in my old neighborhood. They had endless days of socializing, getting drunk/high, doing random bullshit, sleeping in, etc. Its the middle class that gets something of a bum deal. We work hard and pay a significant tax load and get to maybe enjoy our weekends and the occasional vacation, that is if we aren't too stressed out from work and can make time from our busy projects and responsibilities to actually take that vacation. Not sure where this comment is going, but its incredible how there's this taboo in corporate life, especially 'fun' workplaces like google, to admit that its all fairly soul-crushing. Buffets and memos from happiness gurus are part of the problem here. The solution is implementing 4 day workweeks, mandatory 8+ week vacation time, mandatory maternity/paternity, etc and start moving towards empowering people and making them happy via free time, lowered stress, and better work/life balance. Advice from happiness gurus is just window dressing on workaholic culture.

maxxxxx 10y ago
It's like teaching meditation classes so people can handle their 60+ hour weeks calmly instead of getting stressed out. Just window dressing as you say.
Raphmedia 10y ago
The problem is that the people in the middle class try to live above their means. You have the choice of being the poorest of the rich or the richest of the poor. Of course being the poorest of the rich will make you miserable.
- drzaiusapelord 10y ago
  Its still a meanginless rat race even if you make a special effort, like I do, to keep expenses low. I just had a 30% property tax raise and other little surprises this year. You can't just say "live economically." Shit happens and the people who get into financial trouble aren't often reckless. They just had a bad run of luck or a health issue or whatever. Even then I still need to work 40+ hours a day, handle a commute, handle work stress, handle work politics, etc.

maxxxxx 10y ago

It's like teaching meditation classes so people can handle their 60+ hour weeks calmly instead of getting stressed out. Just window dressing as you say.

Raphmedia 10y ago

The problem is that the people in the middle class try to live above their means. You have the choice of being the poorest of the rich or the richest of the poor. Of course being the poorest of the rich will make you miserable.

drzaiusapelord 10y ago
Its still a meanginless rat race even if you make a special effort, like I do, to keep expenses low. I just had a 30% property tax raise and other little surprises this year. You can't just say "live economically." Shit happens and the people who get into financial trouble aren't often reckless. They just had a bad run of luck or a health issue or whatever. Even then I still need to work 40+ hours a day, handle a commute, handle work stress, handle work politics, etc.