4 ms·

You're missing the point, partly because of the imprecision of language. The article is about the idea that hard work will/must pay off. Here you are, talking a

You're missing the point, partly because of the imprecision of language. The article is about the idea that hard work will/must pay off. Here you are, talking about the fact that hard work might/can pay off.

ThrowawayR2 10y ago
Is he? Not doing hard work is guaranteed not to pay off.
- Gracana 10y ago
  If you're rich, you can have fun doing whatever and enjoy the safety net that allows you to attempt whatever you like without devestating consequences of failure. Lack of hard work is only guarantee of failure if you're poor.
  - marknutter 10y ago
    The poor have a safety net too, though.
    - metaphorm 10y ago
      you've never been poor
- metaphorm 10y ago
  thats not actually true though. what if you were born with a trust fund with $20 million in it at 5% annual interest. you will gain $1 million/year doing absolutely nothing. Our society is set up such that we massively protect unearned wealth and afford incredible privileges and powers to those who possess that wealth.
  - ThrowawayR2 10y ago
    We were talking about ordinary Americans, not the wealthy, so what's your point? Focusing on the wealthy is just envy and envy is never a useful emotion. Focusing on what you can do to improve your own situation is a much better use of time and that includes doing hard work and taking the chance that it will pay off.
    - metaphorm 10y ago
      that old canard "its just envy, you're all jealous". no, absolutely not. I'm not jealous or envious. I don't want to have what they have. I don't feel bad about myself because I lack what they possess. My concern is for how power and privilege is wielded in our society. I want to live in a society that protects those who have very little, because those are the people that need the protection. Instead, our society protects those who have very much. That is unjust. My concern is for justice. Did that seriously not occur to you? Now who's the one having an emotional reaction.
- sharemywin 10y ago
  a lot of people play the lotto.

ThrowawayR2 10y ago

Is he? Not doing hard work is guaranteed not to pay off.

Gracana 10y ago
If you're rich, you can have fun doing whatever and enjoy the safety net that allows you to attempt whatever you like without devestating consequences of failure. Lack of hard work is only guarantee of failure if you're poor.
- marknutter 10y ago
  The poor have a safety net too, though.
  - metaphorm 10y ago
    you've never been poor
metaphorm 10y ago
thats not actually true though. what if you were born with a trust fund with $20 million in it at 5% annual interest. you will gain $1 million/year doing absolutely nothing. Our society is set up such that we massively protect unearned wealth and afford incredible privileges and powers to those who possess that wealth.
- ThrowawayR2 10y ago
  We were talking about ordinary Americans, not the wealthy, so what's your point? Focusing on the wealthy is just envy and envy is never a useful emotion. Focusing on what you can do to improve your own situation is a much better use of time and that includes doing hard work and taking the chance that it will pay off.
  - metaphorm 10y ago
    that old canard "its just envy, you're all jealous". no, absolutely not. I'm not jealous or envious. I don't want to have what they have. I don't feel bad about myself because I lack what they possess. My concern is for how power and privilege is wielded in our society. I want to live in a society that protects those who have very little, because those are the people that need the protection. Instead, our society protects those who have very much. That is unjust. My concern is for justice. Did that seriously not occur to you? Now who's the one having an emotional reaction.
sharemywin 10y ago
a lot of people play the lotto.