Cross-Posting: The Struggle to Survive

This is a slightly edited copy of a post on my main blog. 

I dislike writing about the struggle to survive in the West because of the desperate problems in developing nations, but the existence of worse problems elsewhere does not mean there are no problems here (and the cretins who think distraction with worse problems elsewhere is a valid coping technique, as opposed to solving the problem, are directly and personally responsible for their share of the perpetuation of those problems). I've been moved to write this brief post because I have now come across two more people who are either reducing hours or on leave to deal with the problems caused by modern life pressures.

I've noticed this particularly over the last decade in various workplaces, with - as an example - the so-called "agile" ideology (I actually need several heavy textbooks as references to do my job: so, apart from the demotivation of not having a personalised workspace, how do I actually do my job if I have to lug those back and forth from home every day?), which is the sort of stupidity that could only have been conceived and approved of by people with limited life experience. Always being connected is another example of this sort of workplace stupidity (which gets mentioned in articles about recovering from job stress or burnout - see, for instance, here and here).

In my opinion, if the human population wasn't as big as it is, we would be better off going back to life as gatherer-hunters.

However, that isn't going to happen - it cannot, with so many billions of people here: we need agriculture, which has enabled civilisation, and the good parts of civilisation.

The problem is: how to we limit civilisation to only the good, not the bad - the learning, research, thinking, and improved medical care, not the over-consumption, status-slavery, mass vigilantism by social media, and economically-driven abuse of humans in workplaces?

The answer to that has to begin with increased awareness - don't just agree to longer hours, faster work, increased availability to more and more churlish and childish and impatient bosses (I am thinking of some I knew of last century) and clients: question or challenge it, even if you're going to agree to the demands. If nothing else, question it to yourself, in your own mind, so you can make an informed decision (whether that be out of duty to dependents, lack of resources to survive outside that job, or just cowardice).

If you can go further, by writing to your local MP (even if only to say life seems to be harder), or possibly a trustworthy newspaper, great. Even better if you have enough energy and wherewithal to do more activism, such as perhaps meeting MPs, joining a group, etc.


Perhaps above all else, know yourself, and be willing to give up the flash and trendy (e.g., the latest gizmo / social media outlet) in favour of substance in your life (such as reflection, and genuine, deeply held friendships). It is what we are prepared to forgo, that shows what we value most.