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You should probably quit your job

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Re: You should probably quit your job

#11

Post by Tichy »

Udo wrote: post #9
Tichy wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That promised land of perfect health at high age is not here yet, though. It's a nice perspective, but no guarantee.

That's right, it depends on the priorities we set as a society for this kind of thing. Not just living longer, but extending the enjoyable and productive period of a person's life. Of course, I'm in the minority (otherwise I wouldn't have gotten modded into oblivion while the guy who says that he doesn't want to have an impact on the world is praised and congratulated) but I still firmly believe it's worthwhile. What…

I don't think people are opposed, just skeptical.

Re: You should probably quit your job

#12

Post by Tichy »

Mz wrote: post #6
AndrewDucker wrote: post #3

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings)…

People who feel some overwhelming need to Change The World are basically projecting: Their "world" (internal mental landscape, personal life, whatever) is in desperate need of an overhaul. (Edit: I know because this was me, say, 20 to 30 years ago. Then I fixed my personal crap. I no longer feel like lecturing everyone else about what they "should" be doing.) I won't even read the piece. I skimmed it. This is the clo…

It is better for me if other people are content with their shitty jobs, hence I also feel like applauding the commenter above.

Just keep consuming what society feeds you. It's only for your best, trust me.

Re: You should probably quit your job

#13

Post by Tichy »

AndrewDucker wrote: post #3

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings)…

So your goal in life is essentially to relax?

Re: You should probably quit your job

#15

Post by Udo »

Tichy wrote: post #11
Udo wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's right, it depends on the priorities we set as a society for this kind of thing. Not just living longer, but extending the enjoyable and productive period of a person's life. Of course, I'm in the minority (otherwise I wouldn't have gotten modded into oblivion while the guy who says that he doesn't want to have an impact on the world is praised and congratulated) but I still firmly believe it's worthwhile. What…

I don't think people are opposed, just skeptical.

Sure they are, I debated enough to recognize that. I even debated with medical professionals and scientists to this effect. They think it's "unnatural" (whatever that means). For a short while there, my post had a negative score. They don't like to engage, but they are opposed.

Re: You should probably quit your job

#16

Post by AndrewDucker »

Tichy wrote: post #13
AndrewDucker wrote: post #3

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings)…

So your goal in life is essentially to relax?

Good Lord No.

I also want to make life better for my fiancee, and make sure that I'm in a secure position for raising children.

If my job was making me unhappy then I'd move to a different one. And I've quit jobs before when the management were doing things I disapproved of.

And I give money to charity, and (as I said) get involved in occasional political things (like the voting reform referendum earlier this year).

Re: You should probably quit your job

#18

Post by kore »

Mz wrote: post #6
AndrewDucker wrote: post #3

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings)…

People who feel some overwhelming need to Change The World are basically projecting: Their "world" (internal mental landscape, personal life, whatever) is in desperate need of an overhaul. (Edit: I know because this was me, say, 20 to 30 years ago. Then I fixed my personal crap. I no longer feel like lecturing everyone else about what they "should" be doing.) I won't even read the piece. I skimmed it. This is the clo…

While I agree with some of your sentiments about the author, it feels like you're doing a bit of the same by claiming that everybody who wants to change the world are doing so only because they're projecting.

I say so with some defensiveness because one of my greatest goals in life is to do just that, to make a difference, as cliche as it is. And yes, I've quit my old job so I could pursue it. We all look around this world and see things that aren't quite right, that we'd like to see changed, and I'm no different. I'd like to be able to do something about it though, big things, not just sit idly by.

All too often in life I've been happy just coasting along, taking the easy road in front of me, pursuing good grades in earnest, working hard, and making a good living at interesting jobs. That brings me no closer to my goals in life though, that's not my dream. Some of us have dreams that can be achieved while working 9-5, that's great, but if you have a dream that's important to you, that requires you to quit, do give it some thought. You only have one life.

Re: You should probably quit your job

#19

Post by wccrawford »

Tichy wrote: post #14

"Quitting your job" seems like the wrong directive. Find a better job.

I wouldn't even go that far. 'Evaluate your job' is more like it. Take stock of what you have, what you want, and what you can get.

And IF it makes sense to change, seriously consider it.

That all seems like common sense, but it's harder than it sounds.

Re: You should probably quit your job

#20

Post by snowshoveler »

Ambition, entrepreneurialism, etc. They are all diseases… to some extent they are likely genetic; something you’re born with.

The writer was born with one of these, or like, diseases or is channeling someone who has been. He is therefore of the mindset that he must make a difference… do something that alters the course of history… make a mark.

We cannot blame this person for what they cannot control for they were born with this disease.

The article is certainly not meant for the overall public and this should have been stated. Your interest in making a change, putting your stamp on the world, leaving a memory, etc has nothing to do with whether you are a good or bad person or whether you are making the most of your life. Some are happy to change the life on one person (child, friend, etc) while others feel compelled to do so on a mass level. It is entirely a personal decision. It is most likely driven by whether you are infected with the disease of ambition, entrepreneurialism, etc…

I can speak to this as I too was born with both of the above mentioned diseases. I don’t wish them upon everyone but at the same time I am not sure life would be even fractionally as enjoyable without them.

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