End of Manly Labor

Ever since I read “End of Work” by Jeremy Rifkin (published in 1995), I have noticed increased evidence of his thesis that the need of workers will not sustain the supply. The world will have its material needs met with far less fewer workers, resulting from the increased use of robots.  He and many others since then have perused the possible ways in which those unable to find work will be able to sustain themselves. It is within this context that the notion of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) emerged as a mechanism to permit everyone to have sufficient money to sustain themselves.

Rifkin addressed the hidden aspect of a world where the need of work would not be needed by suggesting the need of people to develop other types of meaningful activities, e.g., volunteering their services. I can recall at the time wondering if the psychology of the displaced workers would enable them to transition from the routine of going to work, engaging in meaningful work, and returning home after a day of labor, to such discretionary types of activities.

Since my reading of Rifkin’s book, I have zeroed in the need to identify a mechanism for economic sustenance. I have found that Rifkin’s notion of UBI has only gained more traction among those considering the issue.

Rob Walker’s article resurrected the uncomfortable question about traditional workers being able to be satisfied personally with not working, even if their monetary needs were addressed through UBI. Work does more than being a mechanism to earn money. Work has personal meaning over and above the earned income. 

Walker’s point seems to be imponderable at this point. He references options identified by others, but I found none of them meaningful. From an evolutionary perspective, males may not have grown beyond the traditional role of being a sustainer of family needs. Males, in general, seldom find meaning in “stay at home Dads” roles.

So the question that I have to keep addressing is not only how can we survive economically in a world where the demand of work is not commensurate with the need, but also how will we survive a world of leisure. How will people spend their leisure time in a meaningful way?

Step Back from Face Book

Face Book (FB) has been a favorite medium for me, allowing me to have relationships with many people. My FB relationships vary along the axis of like-minded to those whose views are in total disagreement with mine. At the same time, I appreciate those who are willing to share their joys with family and friends as well as their reactions to various political happenings.

I have readily shared my reactions to current events. I realized that my reactions represent possibly a minority, but I found the venue as a positive source of expression.

I have decided that I am taking a sabbatical from reacting and commenting about our newly elected president and his administration.

Most importantly, I realize that the president was duly elected. His supporters won and I and those voting for his opponent lost.

Secondly, the new administration scares me. I do hope that their actions benefit our nation and the world, but I have serious fears about his initiatives. It does me no good to pursue endless comments that have no purpose other than venting my frustrations. The administration will do what it deems as positive. I wish him and his administration well.

There are possibly many incredibly negative outcomes to the actions of this administration.  I surely do not want them to occur. It will do neither me nor anyone else any good to continue to perseverate over inept, rash, misguided, or plain stupid initiatives. They will or will not occur. If they don’t, I will be relieved. If they do, I hope that repercussions will not represent disasters.

While nothing will surprise me, including impeachment or significant violent disasters, e.g., starting a major conflict, as a response to perceived threats from another nation, e.g., North Korea. At the same time, I hope that I will comment at the end of the next fours years that all my perceptions and fears were baseless. 

So for the next four years, my FB entries will be related to more mundane items as our planned vacation to Puerto Rico, visits with our adult children (may be going to New York to share the Super Bowl with Neal and family), the joys of living with each other and our friend, Patrick