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It's almost like some people don't attach their identity to their job, and make an income to pursue their interests in other hours.

by uoaei 6y ago

gumby 6y ago
Indeed. I've always hated that question "what do you do" (meaning your job) and usually answer it with "about what?" I understand it's a pretty straightforward way to look for common ground and introductory topic of conversation, but there's a massive implication which I consider socially corrosive.
- RhysU 6y ago
  What is the implication and why is it socially corrosive?
  - __s 6y ago
    The implication is that you define someone purely by their career. It's socially corrosive because we end up with people valuing themselves based on their vocation, & consequently we judge a man's worth on the salary he brings home
  - gumby 6y ago
    The implication is that one's worth comes from one's job, with the corollary that one's role in society is that of "worker" and "consumer", or if not simply just "consumer" then worthless. It is socially corrosive because it is removes any concept of social relationship from the calculus of social worth. And you see this in the discussion of "opening up the economy" as though that is the #1 parameter of existence. Certainly without a functioning economy there is no food or other basic needs, but the objectives are complex functions, not simplistic ones. The implication is that those who were not lucky enough to have a job that generates income during a time of pandemic must needs put themselves at risk while others need not. Disgraceful. It's the same reason I cringe when people talk or write about "consuming content", as if "content" is fungible and that peoples' roles are to "consume" it -- when information is not "consumed" (destroyed) by being enjoyed.
    - RhysU 6y ago
      > It is socially corrosive because it is removes any concept of social relationship from the calculus of social worth. I don't see how that follows from "What do you do?" because one could answer: A) I volunteer at... B) I take care of... C) I love... D) etc.

It's almost like some people don't attach their identity to their job, and make an income to pursue their interests in other hours.

by uoaei 6y ago

It's almost like some people don't attach their identity to their job, and make an income to pursue their interests in other hours.

gumby 6y ago

Indeed. I've always hated that question "what do you do" (meaning your job) and usually answer it with "about what?" I understand it's a pretty straightforward way to look for common ground and introductory topic of conversation, but there's a massive implication which I consider socially corrosive.

RhysU 6y ago
What is the implication and why is it socially corrosive?
- __s 6y ago
  The implication is that you define someone purely by their career. It's socially corrosive because we end up with people valuing themselves based on their vocation, & consequently we judge a man's worth on the salary he brings home
- gumby 6y ago
  The implication is that one's worth comes from one's job, with the corollary that one's role in society is that of "worker" and "consumer", or if not simply just "consumer" then worthless. It is socially corrosive because it is removes any concept of social relationship from the calculus of social worth. And you see this in the discussion of "opening up the economy" as though that is the #1 parameter of existence. Certainly without a functioning economy there is no food or other basic needs, but the objectives are complex functions, not simplistic ones. The implication is that those who were not lucky enough to have a job that generates income during a time of pandemic must needs put themselves at risk while others need not. Disgraceful. It's the same reason I cringe when people talk or write about "consuming content", as if "content" is fungible and that peoples' roles are to "consume" it -- when information is not "consumed" (destroyed) by being enjoyed.
  - RhysU 6y ago
    > It is socially corrosive because it is removes any concept of social relationship from the calculus of social worth. I don't see how that follows from "What do you do?" because one could answer: A) I volunteer at... B) I take care of... C) I love... D) etc.