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You had Patents at 17?! Kudos! ;) My parents taught me the same way. I have worked many manual labor jobs, and I wouldn't blink an eye to go back if I had to.

• quickben 10y ago
  Parents, sorry, edited it. Family does changed the outlook quite a bit though for some of the people I know.
• dagw 10y ago
  I wouldn't enjoy it but I have a family to support and I do what I must What if you didn't have to support your family, since your wife could to that for you? Would you still feel the same drive to do so if it wasn't a "must"? Personally I feel that that is the crux of the article. He knows he can get a job, but he also knows he doesn't need to, and the sort of jobs he could get won't make a huge difference to their bottom line, and he's having a hard time reconciling all these things to himself.
  • quickben 10y ago
    Yes, I agree with you. Feeling "useful" is subjective but can influence one's self esteem a great deal. On the other end, not having choices can also be motivational. For example, surviving on a single slice of pizza every day ( because it's tax free if it's a slice) will do wonders for motivation once you have a job. So, it depends, happiness is subjective, but choices matter.
  • deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]