4 ms·

I think this article is disingenuous, because not all things are difficult for all people. Some people really do work a few hours per week and still live a comf

I think this article is disingenuous, because not all things are difficult for all people. Some people really do work a few hours per week and still live a comfortable lifestyle, whether because they had a lot of help getting a comfy job (wealthy parents, lots of tutoring, nepotism, etc.) or maybe won the genetic lottery, while disadvantaged people may see it as not only difficult but maybe impossible to attain the same without any of that help. I think it comes down to inequality, not laziness. I don't know what the solution is; inequality shows no signs of abating, disadvanted people find it difficult to get assistance, and there is a culture driven by articles like these that support the notion that "if you grind hard enough you'll succeed." Personally, I think we should be more sympathetic/empathetic to the plight of these people

sailingparrot 5y ago
I think you are missing the point the article is trying to make (at least how I understood it). The point is not that it is impossible to only work a few hours a week, it is indeed possible. The point is that if you do, you will not be happy, as you need difficulties, challenges and the feeling of progressing toward some goals to feel happy. Yet, most people's objective is to indeed avoid difficulties. It seems today's holy grail is a high paying job, that requires little actual work. The author is arguing that we should instead not try to find a way outside of difficulties, but to carve a path through them. re-quoting from the article: > "[...] Happiness is experienced largely in striving towards a goal, not in having attained things, because our nature is always to want to go on to the next endeavor.”-Albert Ellis
- Woberto 5y ago
  Ah, but if you have a high-paying job for little work, then you get to choose your difficulties - a new challenging hobby, sport, class, etc. Some people may seek wealth in order to avoid challenges, in which case yes the advice might apply to them - find difficult things you also enjoy. All that said, I still feel like the article targeted individuals who don't get to choose their challenges, and therefore may be more likely to avoid them.
paulpauper 5y ago
What do you mean by genetic lottery. It seems as if people with 'good genes' also work the hardest. Maybe this is because they get the most mileage from their effort, hence such positive feedback is a good incentive to keep working.
- epicureanideal 5y ago
  > It seems as if people with 'good genes' also work the hardest. Sure, that happens sometimes, but not all the time or even most of the time. It seems our anecdotal experience doesn’t agree.
- oceanplexian 5y ago
  It’s weird people say this. I have OK genes (No chronic health conditions or learning disabilities) but far from winning the lottery. Let’s say I had perfect genes, naturally athletic, better mental acuity, and wealthy parents, maybe I would be worse off in life. The fact that I had to overcome challenges and take risks helped me become the person I am.
  - Woberto 5y ago
    I just think it's that much easier to be well off with these conditions; less likely to be worse off; and easier to get back on your feet if you mess up. I think a lot of studies show this; here's a whole article on it [1]. [1] https://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-people-make-more-money-2014-11#physically-attractive-workers-are-considered-more-able-by-employers-1 https://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-people-make-more-m...
- bonoboTP 5y ago
  In fact, depending on what you mean by "good" genes, this is no mystery, since the personality trait conscientiousness is heritable.

sailingparrot 5y ago

I think you are missing the point the article is trying to make (at least how I understood it). The point is not that it is impossible to only work a few hours a week, it is indeed possible. The point is that if you do, you will not be happy, as you need difficulties, challenges and the feeling of progressing toward some goals to feel happy. Yet, most people's objective is to indeed avoid difficulties. It seems today's holy grail is a high paying job, that requires little actual work. The author is arguing that we should instead not try to find a way outside of difficulties, but to carve a path through them. re-quoting from the article: > "[...] Happiness is experienced largely in striving towards a goal, not in having attained things, because our nature is always to want to go on to the next endeavor.”-Albert Ellis

Woberto 5y ago
Ah, but if you have a high-paying job for little work, then you get to choose your difficulties - a new challenging hobby, sport, class, etc. Some people may seek wealth in order to avoid challenges, in which case yes the advice might apply to them - find difficult things you also enjoy. All that said, I still feel like the article targeted individuals who don't get to choose their challenges, and therefore may be more likely to avoid them.

paulpauper 5y ago

What do you mean by genetic lottery. It seems as if people with 'good genes' also work the hardest. Maybe this is because they get the most mileage from their effort, hence such positive feedback is a good incentive to keep working.

epicureanideal 5y ago
> It seems as if people with 'good genes' also work the hardest. Sure, that happens sometimes, but not all the time or even most of the time. It seems our anecdotal experience doesn’t agree.
oceanplexian 5y ago
It’s weird people say this. I have OK genes (No chronic health conditions or learning disabilities) but far from winning the lottery. Let’s say I had perfect genes, naturally athletic, better mental acuity, and wealthy parents, maybe I would be worse off in life. The fact that I had to overcome challenges and take risks helped me become the person I am.
- Woberto 5y ago
  I just think it's that much easier to be well off with these conditions; less likely to be worse off; and easier to get back on your feet if you mess up. I think a lot of studies show this; here's a whole article on it [1]. [1] https://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-people-make-more-money-2014-11#physically-attractive-workers-are-considered-more-able-by-employers-1 https://www.businessinsider.com/beautiful-people-make-more-m...
bonoboTP 5y ago
In fact, depending on what you mean by "good" genes, this is no mystery, since the personality trait conscientiousness is heritable.