Liking Those Chains

in LeoFinance2 years ago

People like their chains.

Note: Before I start this rant, I want to say that I am not a fan of bankers.

“I think those who are sitting on that minimum wage, if they’re really not happy with their job, should start looking around. We’ve got unemployment at 3.5 per cent, there are jobs out there, and I think people, if they’re not happy, should quietly find another role.

This was a quote from an interview with Ross McEwan, the CEO of National Australia Bank, which just recorded a record profit. And, the "people of Australia" (randoms on Twitter) took umbrage, as this guy earns 6.3M dollars a year.

So what the fuck does he know about making money....

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Don't get me wrong, the wage increases are dismal in comparison to the inflation rate, but really, shouldn't people be looking around if they are unhappy with minimum wage? And sure, there are always exceptions as to why someone can't work or can't find a better job, but it is is like eating with a calorie deficit, the vast majority are bound to lose weight. Most eat with a surplus - so they put on weight.

Do you think you are special?

Really.

What I mean by this is, do you think that you are an exception from the very many norms that we likely share? Yet, it is these exceptions that the media pick out to represent all of us. There might be people out there who can't work because of some physical condition - but most can. Just like there might be some people who are obese and healthy - but most aren't.

We live in a world of stereotypes.

For a reason.

Just because it is a stereotype, it doesn't mean it isn't true - in most circumstances.

When there is 3.5%unemployment, it means that there are very likely jobs available for those who want to change position, if they have some gumption. It doesn't take much. And, for the unemployed people who "can't find work", the chances are that they all have physical limitations that hold them back, is very slim. However, there is a massive difference between finding work and Finding work one loves.

Most people don't love their work.

I will let you in on a secret...

They do it for the money.

Often, it comes with a bit of responsibility and some self-respect too.

"Money isn't everything"

*How come so many of the people who say that are on some form of welfare? It might not be everything, but it is pretty easy to throw pithy statements out when you either have a hell of a lot like the banker, or nothing at all. People who are actually working hard for their money, they know it is not everything, but it feels pretty shit to have people belittle them for having the gall to work and provide for themslves.

"You're a fool, working for the man."

Coming from someone who can't feed themselves unless the government check rolls in.

Yep... the economy is a fucking mess.

Governments mismanage funds, corporations don't pay their fair share of tax, working people are taken advantage of, people pay far too much for entertainment and not enough for needed services...

But how does not having a job help the situation?

“Imagine being so removed from reality to assume that everybody has the same choices,

Random unnamed Twitter user as proof of outrage ^

Imagine being so removed from reality that you believe that you have no options out there. Imagine being so far removed from reality that you believe that someone would assume that all people have the same options.

The dude said,

I think those who are sitting on that minimum wage, if they’re really not happy with their job, should start looking around.

Look around.

Bankers are a massive problem. Wankers are too.

And this is what the media has become - an amplification of the voices of wankers, to create contention that shouldn't exist, if people did a little thinking for themselves.

But, because everyone seems to think that they are outside of the norm and deserve special treatment, rather than thinking for themselves, they jump to victimhood, when they don't get their expectations met.

Some rich banker is saying I should get a better job - the gall!

You don't have to get a job. You don't have to get a better job. You don't have to work harder. You aren't forced to really do anything in this world. But, there are always ramifications for actions. You have the choice to take responsibility for your own actions, or not - but the consequences will happen one way or another anyway.

Stay chained - or swing for a little freedom?

Don't listen to bankers. Don't listen to the government speakers. Don't listen to the media that takes the voices of strangers and uses them to represent you. You needn't listen to anyone at all - but by the same token, no one need listen to you either. So, if you feel that you are screaming into the void without a voice, you likely are, because you are competing with all those other voices of people who are discontent with their lives too.

Everyone wants more than they have, whether they have nothing, or everything.

No one is going to give you what you want for free.

But, people like their chains.

Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]

Posted Using LeoFinance Alpha

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I guess some work is just beneath some people. Though from watching people around me trying to get jobs (most of them will do most things, though some try very hard to avoid fields they've already been in and desperately want out of/not go back, fast food and retail being the most common XD), seems like you need to either cram into a little known niche or know someone.

Meanwhile youngest is still struggling to find a job. In fairness to him, he's 14 and apparently no matter how desperate for staff places are, they're not desperate enough to hire teenagers.

same deal as it's always been, everywhere wants people with unrealistic amounts of experience but nowhere wants to give anyone experience

Middle child was also struggling to find a job and currently has one...which we lucked out on because there were openings at the centre we were working in and we're there.

and my job was accidental

Eldest is currently focusing on studies and while he could go look for work as he's finding it relatively cruisy for noiw he only has to wait a semester or so til he's in an apprenticeship. And he probably still won't be able to move out til he's 30.

seems like you need to either cram into a little known niche or know someone.

It is an interesting thing to consider though, isn't it? People live in a society, but think social connections shouldn't matter. When it comes to employment, the people who have been introduced to a company and have social connections with it, tend to stay longer with the new company and work better. There are some complex relationships in play there. However, what will be interesting to see in the future, is how people who don't leave their home fare in the stranger marketplace for employment.

he's 14 and apparently no matter how desperate for staff places are, they're not desperate enough to hire teenagers.

This is a pity. I had similar issues as a kid, but once I had one under my belt and proved I could stick with it for a little while, it was easy to get another. mid-teens are not necessarily the most reliable section of the workforce. :)

Middle child was also struggling to find a job and currently has one...which we lucked out on because there were openings at the centre we were working in and we're there.

Was it a "who you know" opening? There tends to be some trust built on network.

What apprenticeship is he doing? I think trades are going to see a bit of a renaissance in the next decades.

It was very much a who you know opening.

His first preference was something about heavy prefab and his second one is something about fitting and machining. All I know is whenever I mention either of those things to anyone most of them magically know people who know people and are already offering to take him on when he starts so whatever he's getting into is apparently needed.

Was funny though, he was looking up what he needed to get a tertiary smartrider (which he has to get through TAFE as I suspected) and there was a dropdown to select what institute he was at and he was looking at the list of unis saying all these places he could go to and he was going to TAFE. Told him he was smart enough to get into any of the unis if he really wanted to but he said he wasn't sure if it was worth the effort as it seems the pieces of paper don't quite hold the same prestige they once did.

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Sounds like you need a drink right now😀.

I agree, there are choices I could have made to be in a better position than I am now. It is nobody's fault but my own. People in the U.S. can talk about not having options but this country has some of the best opportunities in the world if people just seek them out and work for them. However, they also have to make good choices as well. i.e. Don;t go getting knocked up at 16 or knocking someone up, or quit high school before graduation, then expect things to be easy or for things to be handed to you. We live and die by our choices and nobody is to blame for thsoe choices but the person making, or not making them. Most aren't victims, just bad at making choices.

Hell, I should of chose to eat better, continued working out, finsihed my doctorate and got a better paying job working outside the government. No I live by the choices I made, I am comfortable and satisfied with that. I wish I would have chosen differnetly sometimes, but nobody is to blame but me...no victims.

Back to my Irish Whiskey.

Sounds like you need a drink right now

I had a couple ;)

One of the problems is that people think that because they haven't the same opportunities as others, they are underprivileged. In some way, being privileged is a detriment, because in my experience, many those who have had to work harder than others to succeed, tend to also end up in better positions than others. It isn't always the case, but there is value in being the underdog too.

Enjoy your whiskey!
I had a couple glasses of red wine.

Location, location, location. It’s critical in real estate but quite important in employment too.

If you live in an urban area and have a job that you hate, there are likely many opportunities to find a different job that you hate. But in rural areas that might not be as true.

Something like 93% of Australia is urbanized - probably more now, as that was 20 years ago (from my memory). But yes, "different" is the operative word here - people seem to think everyone can have a job they like and earn well, so they can buy expensive shoes made by child labor.

Shackles and chains… that’s this system. Especially with debt!

Free yourself. How?

Or work until old age and hopefully the debt is paid off. Awful.

Free yourself. How?

First step is - stop being a victim. For most people, that is a mindset.

On the topic of employment and the minimum wage. Do you think universal basic income is kind of like socialist issue and not really addressing the real world problem? But I suppose if wages can not be assured we should have healthcare assured universally? Because for employment we all have to compete with each other.

Do you think universal basic income is kind of like socialist issue and not really addressing the real world problem?

there are two parts to the question here.

Do you think universal basic income is kind of like socialist issue

No - it is capitalist.

and not really addressing the real world problem?

Yes - it isn't addressing the issue - it is kicking the can down the road.

But I suppose if wages can not be assured we should have healthcare assured universally?

Healthcare to a basic level should be universal.

Because for employment we all have to compete with each other.

There is a difference between compete with and compete against. We tend to compete against each other.

No one is going to give you what you want for free.

For awhile I thought about buying advertising on facebook.

still not sure if it would be worth it...

I also thought about showing one of my art works on the advertising display in my city. But it is very expensive.

The question is, do you think art buyers would buy from Facebook adverts?

I have no idea. But what I tried so far hasn't been working( posting in facebook groups, gifting my works...) some people are selling art on facebook. But I would probably have to sell outside of Lithuania... you can never be a prophet in your own land

It's like the Stockholm Syndrome, when people fall in love with their prosecutor. It's something much perversely linked to the power admiration.

BUT still, many people do not understand that this is just a way of being scared of freedom, because being slave is easier for some aspects but much more difficult for other. It's the moment in between that is the hardest, when people try to escape their chains and they are prosecuted from the slaver AND from the other ones that will start judging

Being a slave is easier - unless perhaps you are a real slave.

It's the moment in between that is the hardest, when people try to escape their chains and they are prosecuted from the slaver AND from the other ones that will start judging

And it is the "other ones" that are the worst these days. They have no rules, they punish whatever makes them feel uncomfortable.

The unemployment rate is so-called %10 in my country, which is much more than this in fact. Thus, if you don't like your work or you are not happy or whatever, there is someone else ready to work in liue of you.

And in some cases, people are unhappy in jobs that other people would love to have.

Smile.

I remember when I had my offline job early this year. I met a friend on one of those evenings I was returning from work.

We had a few conversations and this guy literally blurted out that he wouldn't work for anyone. And that he doesn't see himself doing that. In fact, he can't.

Fast forward a few minutes later, he is asking to come to stay at my place for a while because his relatives sent him packing.

Clearly, I knew he wasn't contributing anything to the family. He is a grown man by the way, a working age with blood and bones, running down his body, viable enough to work.

He must have thought me stupid to say yes to someone who told me a few minutes back that he wasn't going to work. So, he expected me to welcome him, and bring home the kill, while he eats and waltz around the house doing nothing... So hot 🥵... Lol

Wankers will always be wankers. Everyone wants something whether they have a lot already or they don't and no one will give you something you did not work for. And that's because they don't owe you anything.

So hot

:D

Yes - people who are reliant on others are super sexy indeed!

Hahaha.... He got the joke 😅

The bankers are out of touch and I think the entire managerial class is out of touch. They keep doing things that they think are good but they are generally not good for all of us.

They work on the algorithm of maximization, like all of us. They have just maximized to have more mechanisms to maximize at our expense. It is "natural". But, pretending we don't have a say in any of it is wrong - because the consumer is the one that allows for profits to be made and or governments to run.

I agree with you that mostly people don't like there work and they're doing it just for Money, i think in such way they're not good with the institution too because when a person doesn't love his work than how he can manage to do it???

I think we should that which we love to do, doesn't matter how much they pay you for this!!!!!

You always have the choice of the things you have under your control. You have the choice to take action or not to make your life the way you want to design it.

You just made me remember with your liking for bankers, and this made me laugh, related to bankers, i go to sort some problem at bank, and the guy is like:

  • I notice you have a big amount sitting idle, can I interes you in our share program.
    And I am like:
  • how much profit you had in your own portfolio, for the last financial year?
    and he is like:
  • I do not have a portfolio, I can't afford to buy shares.
    And I am like:
    -AND YET YOU WANT TO GIVE ME ADVICE ABOUT IT.

Oh I have so much to say in this matter I should probably create my own post. Maybe I will pick just a couple points to colour the conversation.

Along the lines of work being hard, if it was easy and fun, they wouldn’t have to pay you to do it. While I agree that executives are out of touch/turn a blind eye to the struggles of the average Joe, their jobs are NOT easy. Can you imagine how much of your soul and life you would have to forfeit in order to make millions a year? Truth is most of us don’t even qualify to make that choice because we would have to put in decades of education, learning & failing, and grinding to the level to even be in the same county, let alone stadium. I get annoyed at the have-nots (I am one by perspective) barking at the haves because their bone is bigger. So much easier than starting your own quest to improve your own lot.

Discomfort is no longer the fashion. It is uncomfortable to jump lanes into another job or to grind your sled out of the rut it has settled into. For many, the entitlement to be comfortable trumps the notion that one might have to improve their attitude, try harder and evolve positively in order to become good at something or produce better results. The current of the system can easily carry you into instead diagnosing yourself into an echo chamber of victims who are also hard done by and misery loves company.

Dammit I am really sounding like a grumpy old boomer (when I am a gen Xer like you!) but I am a little disheartened at the swing from the heartless “nobody cares work harder” of a time long passed to more of a “you are entitled to be happy so go do what you love.” It will correct back to a happy medium of those if there isn’t a huge wipeout and I am just glad to be ready to try, fail, work hard and make progress for myself and family while snowflakes melt. It is true that the last mile is much less crowded.

Anyhow, instead of finding comfort or stagnating in a bad place and resenting the unattainable prize, I would encourage people to seek out others who have what they want, ask them how they got it, and give that a try!

As easy for me to say that as it is for the exec to tell people to find another job I suppose.

Nowadays, people live based on stereotypes. The world is taking absurd, but certainly not encouraging, directions. I confess, my friend, that I have never embraced victimhood. Especially in the professional field, I have always managed to get by, and I believe that with determination, one can always find the right path.

They say you should do a job you love, sure, I understand that. However, I must confess that for a boatload of money, I would gladly do any job, regardless of whether I enjoy it. After all, work, to me, is an action carried out in exchange for a financial reward; there is nowhere that it is written that it has to be enjoyable. The important thing is that the financial compensation is adequate.

Many people act picky, refusing jobs because they don't like them, they don't find them passionate or fulfilling, and then they don't have enough money to put food on the table... to me, this is absurd. Those who behave this way are truly ridiculous and, in my view, irresponsible.

I think it is important to distinguish between chains and comfort. I don't like to feel chained either, but if I make a conscious choice to just spin my wheels and stay content where I am, then I don't see this as being chained. Rather it is my active choice to settle, to peel back on the ambition and just glide by. this typically comes with some sacrifice -- monetarily -- that means I will have less purchasing power, less options at my disposal. However, there is also a certain type of freedom that comes from checking out and doing the least to get by. But at least the choices are seemingly mine and I choose to settle rather than be caught in chains.