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How hustle culture took over advertising

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Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#151

Post by wpietri »

apatters wrote: post #24

I'm American but I've lived overseas for nearly a decade, and I hardly ever go back. In recent years when I meet other Americans who are visiting my city, I often get this vague feeling that they're just trying too hard in one way or another. Maybe they're working too hard, or trying too hard to impress someone, or get attention, or assert themselves. I don't know if I've changed or if America is changed or if it's s…

A historian I'm fond of, Walter McDougall, is writing a trilogy of American history books where a key theme is how the notion of "hustle" is central to what America is. For him, though, the word's dual American meanings of "work hard/move quickly" and "mislead/scam" are closely joined.

I think he's right. So many of these companies that value hustle are up to something ethically suspect. But if you go fast enough and apply enough pressure, nobody really has time to stop and say, "Wait, are we doing the right thing here?"

So although it'd definitely bad for worker health and generally also harms productivity, I think it's great for the profitability of whoever's at the top. And also for sweeping any ethical questions under the rug until after their pockets are filled.

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#152

Post by wpietri »

eeZah7Ux wrote: post #148
rabidrat wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think we're all increasingly aware that our society and infrastructure are crumbling, and no matter how "rich" the country as a whole is, if you haven't built up your own security through wealth, you're [going to be] fucked. And that awareness translates into people being willing to overwork themselves, so they don't lose their spot in the rat race; and corporations with money to spend on workers are well-positione…

This is the "appeal to worse problems" fallacy. Given that the US is wealthier than most of Europe and yet people work much longer hours with little worker protection, people could could demand much better.

Yup. The intense self-focus and zero-sum mentality in that line of thinking ignores that a more collaborative approach can get better results for everybody.

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#153

Post by jimbokun »

phillc73 wrote: post #58
rabidrat wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think we're all increasingly aware that our society and infrastructure are crumbling, and no matter how "rich" the country as a whole is, if you haven't built up your own security through wealth, you're [going to be] fucked. And that awareness translates into people being willing to overwork themselves, so they don't lose their spot in the rat race; and corporations with money to spend on workers are well-positione…

> if you haven't built up your own security through wealth, you're [going to be] fucked. Another approach is to build security through self sufficiency and community based initiatives. For example, growing your own food wherever possible, or community gardens on common land. There is a long list of examples and ideas where future security, defining that as decent quality of life, health and education, doesn't need to…

Almost no one in the US has a problem with getting enough food. Maybe substandard nutrition, but no one is going to starve.

Healthcare and education are areas where a common option could make a major difference in people's lives. But I think the "community" has to be pretty large to make a meaningful impact.

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#154

Post by jimbokun »

eiaoa wrote: post #60
rabidrat wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think we're all increasingly aware that our society and infrastructure are crumbling, and no matter how "rich" the country as a whole is, if you haven't built up your own security through wealth, you're [going to be] fucked. And that awareness translates into people being willing to overwork themselves, so they don't lose their spot in the rat race; and corporations with money to spend on workers are well-positione…

> I think we're all increasingly aware that our society and infrastructure are crumbling, and no matter how "rich" the country as a whole is, if you haven't built up your own security through wealth, you're [going to be] fucked. And that awareness translates into people being willing to overwork themselves, so they don't lose their spot in the rat race; and corporations with money to spend on workers are well-positio…

I think we have to do both, to hedge our bets, at this point.

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#155

Post by Justsignedup »

Hustle is an interesting concept.

Most of the time the hustle is making sure the hours at work and at home are effective and not slacking off.

Sometimes it means that as you build a business shit happens at unexpected times so make sure that when an opportunity comes by you take it and don't say oh but it's 7pm and I'm tired.

However I never take it to mean that you should work 50 hour weeks until you collapse. And so far this has been the mentality pushed by fiverr and other companies because it means that they get to profit off your barely profitable labor.

Having to work 60 hours a week is not a hussle. It is a horrible situation.

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#156

Post by Hydraulix989 »

jimbokun wrote: post #153
phillc73 wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> if you haven't built up your own security through wealth, you're [going to be] fucked. Another approach is to build security through self sufficiency and community based initiatives. For example, growing your own food wherever possible, or community gardens on common land. There is a long list of examples and ideas where future security, defining that as decent quality of life, health and education, doesn't need to…

Almost no one in the US has a problem with getting enough food. Maybe substandard nutrition, but no one is going to starve. Healthcare and education are areas where a common option could make a major difference in people's lives. But I think the "community" has to be pretty large to make a meaningful impact.

This may be true in socially progressive areas such as Silicon Valley, but it is far from the case anywhere else.

Hunger is further down Maslow's pyramid. You can't even begin thinking about things like education until you are able to adequately eat.

http://map.feedingamerica.org

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#158

Post by HaHa31 »

apatters wrote: post #24

I'm American but I've lived overseas for nearly a decade, and I hardly ever go back. In recent years when I meet other Americans who are visiting my city, I often get this vague feeling that they're just trying too hard in one way or another. Maybe they're working too hard, or trying too hard to impress someone, or get attention, or assert themselves. I don't know if I've changed or if America is changed or if it's s…

The historical component for this work ethic is frequently tied to Protestantism, especially Puritanism. Work was divinely mandated, and shirking that responsibility was socially unacceptable. Work was also more necessary, as not working hard enough could led to the death of your community. Just my two cents

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#159

Post by brootstrap »

esotericn wrote: post #85
lanewinfield wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hatred of advertising at a larger scale, nice. How are those people on said websites (and almost any other medium) supposed to make money?

Examples, with specific citation: My local bus stop has adverts (London). My local metro station does too (London). They're all over the roads (UK). They're in pubs (UK). They're on paid television services (Sky). They're on paid programs (Windows 10). They're shown before movies (cinema, UK). Advertising is _everywhere_, in paid services, unpaid services, whatever. Unless I'm in my own, or a friend's private home I…

oh man now you give me ideas... kind of like the guy who tattooed an AD on his face. For 1c per post i will let your company put some BS tagline in all of my reddit/HN/forum posts

Re: How hustle culture took over advertising

#160

Post by kazen44 »

egypturnash wrote: post #74
apatters wrote: post #24

I'm American but I've lived overseas for nearly a decade, and I hardly ever go back. In recent years when I meet other Americans who are visiting my city, I often get this vague feeling that they're just trying too hard in one way or another. Maybe they're working too hard, or trying too hard to impress someone, or get attention, or assert themselves. I don't know if I've changed or if America is changed or if it's s…

It comes from the long-running anti-union propaganda campaigns put on by corporations. It comes from deregulation, which comes from politicians wholly bought and paid for by corporations. It comes from years of flat minimum wage alongside constant inflation. It comes from years and years of decisions about what a business can do to a worker that almost all come down in favor of infinite rights for the business and no…

the fact that unions/left wing politics have very little political representation in the US is also fairly astounding.

How is it possible that a political ideology which should appeal to the bottom 50% of the workforce has no representation?

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