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by jtr1 5y ago

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PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago
Yes, these are all lovely examples. However, in the meantime (at least for the time being), millions of people: * build cars * work in retail * construct and repair buildings * sew mass-market clothing * build, maintain, manage the energy supply system(s) * plant, grow, harvest and process food * run the machines that move people, products and materials around It is quite possible to find meaning and purpose doing any of these things, but they are generally unlikely to offer the sense that you exist in this world to do whatever it is that you do for a living. Despite that, the people who do this sort of work play an invaluable role in how our societies work. Rather than encouraging everyone to run away from the critical work that needs to be done, I'd rather build a society in which people can feel meaning and purpose in their lives regardless of what they do for a living.
- cgriswald 5y ago
  All sense of meaning, purpose, and satisfaction stems from our own minds. I found deep meaning and purpose in being a busboy and sometimes I still miss it. I had a friend and coworker who felt the same way. I had other coworkers who hated the job and just did it to earn some money (often, but not always, for college). It's easy to understand why someone might feel a strong sense of meaning and purpose if they win an Olympic gold; but they could also be miserable and generally dissatisfied with life. Any prejudice we have about how someone should feel if they are doing a particular job is just our own interpretation of how we would feel doing the job; but there isn't anything inherent in any of these jobs that gives meaning or purpose. (I also think people confuse being satisfied with the perks of a job—say fame or fortune—with meaning and purpose and satisfaction with the job itself.)
  - PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago
    It was TFA, not me, that said > Discovering and living out a sense of calling — a personal vocation, or something you are uniquely meant to do — is the ultimate way to cut through the mimetic noise of the world and begin to shape both a moral and a vocational compass. and that's what I was calling out, not the idea that certain jobs can prevent you from having meaning and purpose.
    - cgriswald 5y ago
      Right. You're misunderstanding the quote.
- deleted 5y ago
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by jtr1 5y ago

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Yes, these are all lovely examples. However, in the meantime (at least for the time being), millions of people: * build cars * work in retail * construct and repair buildings * sew mass-market clothing * build, maintain, manage the energy supply system(s) * plant, grow, harvest and process food * run the machines that move people, products and materials around It is quite possible to find meaning and purpose doing any of these things, but they are generally unlikely to offer the sense that you exist in this world to do whatever it is that you do for a living. Despite that, the people who do this sort of work play an invaluable role in how our societies work. Rather than encouraging everyone to run away from the critical work that needs to be done, I'd rather build a society in which people can feel meaning and purpose in their lives regardless of what they do for a living.

cgriswald 5y ago
All sense of meaning, purpose, and satisfaction stems from our own minds. I found deep meaning and purpose in being a busboy and sometimes I still miss it. I had a friend and coworker who felt the same way. I had other coworkers who hated the job and just did it to earn some money (often, but not always, for college). It's easy to understand why someone might feel a strong sense of meaning and purpose if they win an Olympic gold; but they could also be miserable and generally dissatisfied with life. Any prejudice we have about how someone should feel if they are doing a particular job is just our own interpretation of how we would feel doing the job; but there isn't anything inherent in any of these jobs that gives meaning or purpose. (I also think people confuse being satisfied with the perks of a job—say fame or fortune—with meaning and purpose and satisfaction with the job itself.)
- PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago
  It was TFA, not me, that said > Discovering and living out a sense of calling — a personal vocation, or something you are uniquely meant to do — is the ultimate way to cut through the mimetic noise of the world and begin to shape both a moral and a vocational compass. and that's what I was calling out, not the idea that certain jobs can prevent you from having meaning and purpose.
  - cgriswald 5y ago
    Right. You're misunderstanding the quote.
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