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Can’t speak for parent, but agree with some of what they said. And no, I don’t think those people’s livelihoods ought to be beneath human. I assume that most p

by bdhess 9y ago

Can’t speak for parent, but agree with some of what they said. And no, I don’t think those people’s livelihoods ought to be beneath human. I assume that most people who have those kinds of jobs don’t want those jobs. Rather they need them given the way we’ve structured our society. Those without skills valued by the marked are essentially forced to exchange long hours of menial labor for their survival. Isn’t that more sad? I think this is why so many folks on HN like the idea of the universal basic income.

tbabb 9y ago
> most people who have those kinds of jobs don’t want those jobs Why do you assume that?
- euvitudo 9y ago
  Agree with your sentiment. Three cases: 1. I know a bus driver for the local school district that doesn't necessarily like his job, but he does it. He looks forward to retiring with a pension. 2. My father wasn't necessarily passionate about his drafting job, but still worked that job as a means to an end--support his family and pay for and enjoy his hobbies. He now enjoys his retirement and travels the world with his wife. 3. A brother-in-law works at his local hardware store. He doesn't specifically like it but it helps him buy his man-toys and care for his family and horses. I really don't know what each of their dream job is, but it's obvious to me they have different goals than I. Honestly it was a bit of a shock to me to realize that people work jobs that aren't what they're passionate about, and it doesn't bother them. It's a means to an end. It made me realize that a lot of us (myself included--as a software type) are (too?) emotionally involved in our jobs. We've basically turned our hobby into our job; the means has become the end, really, to the point that we can't fathom someone working a job they aren't passionate about. My opinion (and my experience with others) is that people want to work so they can sustain their desired lifestyle; it often doesn't matter the job they have so long as it helps them reach their goals. In fact I've known some folks who pursued software (degree-based or otherwise) simply to achieve their goals and support their (non-software or whatever) hobbies.
  - euvitudo 9y ago
    Then I saw the article discussed here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16036794 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16036794 and it adds a very different perspective about which I really have nothing to add, unfortunately; I don't personally know anyone in this situation.

by bdhess 9y ago

tbabb 9y ago

> most people who have those kinds of jobs don’t want those jobs Why do you assume that?

euvitudo 9y ago
Agree with your sentiment. Three cases: 1. I know a bus driver for the local school district that doesn't necessarily like his job, but he does it. He looks forward to retiring with a pension. 2. My father wasn't necessarily passionate about his drafting job, but still worked that job as a means to an end--support his family and pay for and enjoy his hobbies. He now enjoys his retirement and travels the world with his wife. 3. A brother-in-law works at his local hardware store. He doesn't specifically like it but it helps him buy his man-toys and care for his family and horses. I really don't know what each of their dream job is, but it's obvious to me they have different goals than I. Honestly it was a bit of a shock to me to realize that people work jobs that aren't what they're passionate about, and it doesn't bother them. It's a means to an end. It made me realize that a lot of us (myself included--as a software type) are (too?) emotionally involved in our jobs. We've basically turned our hobby into our job; the means has become the end, really, to the point that we can't fathom someone working a job they aren't passionate about. My opinion (and my experience with others) is that people want to work so they can sustain their desired lifestyle; it often doesn't matter the job they have so long as it helps them reach their goals. In fact I've known some folks who pursued software (degree-based or otherwise) simply to achieve their goals and support their (non-software or whatever) hobbies.
- euvitudo 9y ago
  Then I saw the article discussed here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16036794 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16036794 and it adds a very different perspective about which I really have nothing to add, unfortunately; I don't personally know anyone in this situation.