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I used to say, and believe, such things. After over 30 years of work, and business, I have become vastly more tolerant and understanding of those who were dili

I used to say, and believe, such things. After over 30 years of work, and business, I have become vastly more tolerant and understanding of those who were diligently "out there swinging" until it broke them, and sometimes their families too. There comes a point where anyone will break. What of those who were swinging improperly due to their year of birth and graduated during a recession? The effect of taking something when jobs are not available can lock them into poorer quality jobs for decades. Earnings for some never catch up over a whole career, at least according to some studies. Potential employers only take interest in your previous role, and current salary, so this isn't unduly surprising. Of course you have to be "in the game", but the effects of your swings, regardless of how many, are often outwith your control.

tarken 9y ago
I am that person you describe. Went to college in 07. I was told 'study whatever you want! the markets great!" so I went into poli sci. then 08 happened, millions of jobs disappeared, more than ever before in history. 'its ok!' they said. 'it'll bounce back!', but it hasn't, not really, not for me. I graduated with my degree, disillusioned with the world's institutions and my prospects working as a diplomat or for an ngo. unable to find a job I could apply my degree to, I was at least able to 'bridge the gap' waiting tables. I was so poor, my health plummeted. eating cheap food, unable to go to a doctor's office or dental office. this was exacerbated by a smoking addiction I picked in in college. on a regular basis, I wonder what my life would be like had I gone to school a year or two later, where I'd be if I was aware of the housing/job crisis and not given the false promise of 'be whatever you want!'. of course this paragraph is an oversimplification of a very long and grueling chapter of my life, and my attempt to distill it down for the sake of anecdote does not do it justice. Those lessons learned will stick with me for the remainder of my life: mistrust of private organizations (like banks), captured public organizations (like the american government). whenever I see some bootstrapper huff and puff about how x demographic are lazy I can only roll my eyes. people live in their cushy little salary bubbles, blind to the outside world's struggles. they don't see how falling a little behind can set you so far back. Work a service job and you too can see how fucking dehumanizing wage slavery is.

tarken 9y ago

I am that person you describe. Went to college in 07. I was told 'study whatever you want! the markets great!" so I went into poli sci. then 08 happened, millions of jobs disappeared, more than ever before in history. 'its ok!' they said. 'it'll bounce back!', but it hasn't, not really, not for me. I graduated with my degree, disillusioned with the world's institutions and my prospects working as a diplomat or for an ngo. unable to find a job I could apply my degree to, I was at least able to 'bridge the gap' waiting tables. I was so poor, my health plummeted. eating cheap food, unable to go to a doctor's office or dental office. this was exacerbated by a smoking addiction I picked in in college. on a regular basis, I wonder what my life would be like had I gone to school a year or two later, where I'd be if I was aware of the housing/job crisis and not given the false promise of 'be whatever you want!'. of course this paragraph is an oversimplification of a very long and grueling chapter of my life, and my attempt to distill it down for the sake of anecdote does not do it justice. Those lessons learned will stick with me for the remainder of my life: mistrust of private organizations (like banks), captured public organizations (like the american government). whenever I see some bootstrapper huff and puff about how x demographic are lazy I can only roll my eyes. people live in their cushy little salary bubbles, blind to the outside world's struggles. they don't see how falling a little behind can set you so far back. Work a service job and you too can see how fucking dehumanizing wage slavery is.