2 ms·

Does it really need to be pointed out that the notion of an "average" economic producer, while tenuous in any sizeable population, is especially meaningless in

Does it really need to be pointed out that the notion of an "average" economic producer, while tenuous in any sizeable population, is especially meaningless in a country like China, where you're averaging "very hard working" tech workers in Shanghai with "also-very-hard-working" subsistence farmers and unskilled labourers? I accept the notion that simplistic glorification of "hard work" is unhelpful and often counterproductive, but most people understand that "hard work" doesn't just mean physical exertion, but also good decision-making, sensible investing, scaling your impact, etc. Any concept is easy to write a disparaging essay about if you just focus on the most reductive interpretation. A far more useful essay on the topic would focus on what ability an "ordinary" person (particularly one without substantial inherited wealth) has to influence their life outcomes, and what kinds of things can be done at the individual and societal levels to improve the present situation.

xiphias2 6y ago
I agree with the first sentence, but I don't think that ,,most people understand that "hard work" doesn't just mean physical exertion, but also good decision-making, sensible investing, scaling your impact, etc.'' I made a great investment 8 years ago that made me retire quite early. I'm still just sitting on the investment although many people told me to sell it, and also some people want me to ,,work again''. For me not selling it is the ,,hard work'', as doing anything, like buying houses from the money, or ,,investing it to something sensible'', or ,,diversifying'' would be damaging to my impact. I don't see that people are understanding it.
chii 6y ago
> ability an "ordinary" person (particularly one without substantial inherited wealth) has to influence their life outcomes, and what kinds of things can be done at the individual and societal levels to improve the present situation. what can be done, as of today, is education, and applied effort to learn useful skills. That's what hard work is! That's why there's such a huge fuss every year in china regarding the national college entrance examination - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_College_Entrance_Examination https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_College_Entrance_Exam... - entire towns are run silent and distraction free to allow students to study and take the exam.

xiphias2 6y ago

I agree with the first sentence, but I don't think that ,,most people understand that "hard work" doesn't just mean physical exertion, but also good decision-making, sensible investing, scaling your impact, etc.'' I made a great investment 8 years ago that made me retire quite early. I'm still just sitting on the investment although many people told me to sell it, and also some people want me to ,,work again''. For me not selling it is the ,,hard work'', as doing anything, like buying houses from the money, or ,,investing it to something sensible'', or ,,diversifying'' would be damaging to my impact. I don't see that people are understanding it.

chii 6y ago

> ability an "ordinary" person (particularly one without substantial inherited wealth) has to influence their life outcomes, and what kinds of things can be done at the individual and societal levels to improve the present situation. what can be done, as of today, is education, and applied effort to learn useful skills. That's what hard work is! That's why there's such a huge fuss every year in china regarding the national college entrance examination - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_College_Entrance_Examination https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_College_Entrance_Exam... - entire towns are run silent and distraction free to allow students to study and take the exam.