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> Given that the vast majority of people go to work to earn money for businesses that exist either to exploit natural resources ... Or for governments, doing g

> Given that the vast majority of people go to work to earn money for businesses that exist either to exploit natural resources ... Or for governments, doing government jobs that produce absolutely nothing of value and force people to waste a big chunk of their lives on administrative tasks...

epicide 2y ago
Or for corporations that produce things of negative value and force people to waste a big chunk of their lives on administrative tasks.
specproc 2y ago
I come from a town where the biggest employer is the state in a few different forms. I think it's entirely valid for the government to keep them all busy 9-5, salaried and pensioned. Main function of the state IMO. I don't fear government, I fear the lack of it.
- willguest 2y ago
  This doesn't deserve to be downvoted, it is very legitimate point. I think there is a role for public organisation, with political groups being one type. I am, however, critical of the prevailing agenda, since they often exist in a system where money can play a big role in deciding which priorities rise to the top. I am not sure that politics plays such a central role as it used or as many people assume. Our society today seems to be divided functionally... we answer to many bosses, some economic, some political, some technological, and so on. For me the more/less gov't debate misses the important points. It is the incentives, mechanism and processes that determine their value. I think you are referring to maintain order and keeping the peace - valuable functions, but made more necessary when people are under such strain in their daily lives.
CraigJPerry 2y ago
"a form of paid employment that is so completely pointless, unnecessary, or pernicious that even the employee cannot justify its existence even though, as part of the conditions of employment, the employee feels obliged to pretend that this is not the case" — Nathan Heller Whats the public vs private split to this idea? Its not a new idea - “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half.” — John Wanamaker
- randomdata 2y ago
  He doesn’t speak to any particular split. The government forces the private sector to do pointless work as much or more.

epicide 2y ago

Or for corporations that produce things of negative value and force people to waste a big chunk of their lives on administrative tasks.

specproc 2y ago

I come from a town where the biggest employer is the state in a few different forms. I think it's entirely valid for the government to keep them all busy 9-5, salaried and pensioned. Main function of the state IMO. I don't fear government, I fear the lack of it.

willguest 2y ago
This doesn't deserve to be downvoted, it is very legitimate point. I think there is a role for public organisation, with political groups being one type. I am, however, critical of the prevailing agenda, since they often exist in a system where money can play a big role in deciding which priorities rise to the top. I am not sure that politics plays such a central role as it used or as many people assume. Our society today seems to be divided functionally... we answer to many bosses, some economic, some political, some technological, and so on. For me the more/less gov't debate misses the important points. It is the incentives, mechanism and processes that determine their value. I think you are referring to maintain order and keeping the peace - valuable functions, but made more necessary when people are under such strain in their daily lives.

CraigJPerry 2y ago

"a form of paid employment that is so completely pointless, unnecessary, or pernicious that even the employee cannot justify its existence even though, as part of the conditions of employment, the employee feels obliged to pretend that this is not the case" — Nathan Heller Whats the public vs private split to this idea? Its not a new idea - “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half.” — John Wanamaker

randomdata 2y ago
He doesn’t speak to any particular split. The government forces the private sector to do pointless work as much or more.