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Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

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Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#41

Post by devilbunny »

throwmenow_0140 wrote: post #19

> I feel bad because I'm younger than they are, but [I enjoy privileges] The world is not fair. You are not responsible for the way the world currently is, but you have a responsibility as a citizen of the world to work on lessening the inequality and pain. It’s good that you feel bad, but the next step is to use this feeling effectively and act on it by volunteering, working in politics and working in businesses tha…

> Spend more time with different people from different backgrounds. This sentence is the result of being alienated from your fellow human beings and honestly sad to hear. Realize that we’re all the same.

This is a very kind, very real statement right up until the moment that people realize that I can spend far more than they can. At which point I frequently become, in their opinion, either an asshole or a mark. I don't think I'm better than the guy who regularly waits my table at a favorite local restaurant - in fact, he works at least as hard as I do, has a great personality, and is always pleasant with us, and he gets GREAT tips (and not just from me). But I've seen a lot of people try to fuck me over just because I have more than they do. Not like a 20% markup. Try 200%. And labor on top.

Lucky for me, I've cultivated good relationships with solidly blue-collar folks over the years. I could tell them that I wanted XYZ done, and I wasn't particular as long as it happened in the next few years. So when their business went slack, and they needed the money, they had a job for more or less as long as they needed to pay the bills. I get a little price break, they get a steady income. And when I need to pay them, I'm happy to do it in cash. Maybe they report it, maybe they don't, not my concern but the one great thing about cash is that you never have to worry if my check will clear (yes, this is a very US-centric problem).

Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#42

Post by FWKevents »

Thank you for your honest question. The short answer is yes. The more complicated answer is I know I'm doing small things to ameliorate inequalities in my corner of the world, so I feel I'm doing something in a world where injustice will, unfortunately, probably always exist.

An example: I used Google's "black owned business" feature to hire an African-American handyman from another part of the city. I gave him the time and money he needed to figure out how to re-do my bathroom, even though it was the first time he'd done such a complicated renovation. He was slow, and made some mistakes. My patience and ability to see past the mistakes will help him move from handyman to contractor.

I used to be among the class of people who work hard for little pay before I opened my own business. I always maintained my dignity. By not falling into self-pity or complaining, and working with others in politics and the community to right injustices, (when I could find the time-- being poor is time-consuming) I felt empowered despite my low station in life at that time. So the poor can be noble at heart, and that can sustain through the many indignities of their condition.

This is not meant to let the well-to-do off the hook. For years I had a business that catered exclusively to the wealthy. It was common for me to have clients with an insular self-centeredness and entitled attitude.

Since you recognize inequality and injustice, you are already way ahead of the wealthy people I dealt with regularly. It may make you feel better to take action on those feelings in small ways or large ways, such as through volunteer work with refugees or the poor.

Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#43

Post by vegai_ »

lazyeye wrote: post #39
vegai_ wrote: post #25

Having been bullied by some parts of the lower social classes half of my child life makes it all so much easier to handle. Having the lower social classes use their democratic rights to screw things up also helps. In contrast, the higher classes I've met in my life have typically been, well, classy. Some of them might have acted against me, but not in a tormenting and barbaric way. Another viewpoint is that even if y…

"Having the lower social classes use their democratic rights to screw things up.." Screw things up for who? Maybe they deserve it...

For everyone. Yes, maybe we deserve it.

Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#44

Post by Guest19023892 »

I was watching the news last night and they interviewed an older woman who left her high paying finance career to work as a florist. It's far less pay, and she finds her life much more rewarding and happy now.

Based on your post, you would look down at her florist job and think it's unfortunate she never achieved her dream in life. Meanwhile, she realized her dream, and she left her high paying comfortable career to achieve it.

In short, stop making assumptions that other people have the same dream as you or want to be in your position. Not everyone thinks a comfortable job is the definition of success or happiness in life. You know nothing about these people, their families, their friends, their hobbies, or their goals. It's really rude to assume they need your large tips or that they have a less fulfilling life. You'd probably be surprised how many of these people have no interest in trading places with you.

Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#45

Post by lazyeye »

vegai_ wrote: post #43
lazyeye wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Having the lower social classes use their democratic rights to screw things up.." Screw things up for who? Maybe they deserve it...

For everyone. Yes, maybe we deserve it.

You're probably oblivious to the fact that its already been screwed up for a very long time for a large number of people. Probably a useful thing to spread the pain around a bit as form of education. It's really hard to think of a group of people more out of touch than the denizens of Silicon Valley and their ilk.

Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#46

Post by vegai_ »

lazyeye wrote: post #45
vegai_ wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For everyone. Yes, maybe we deserve it.

You're probably oblivious to the fact that its already been screwed up for a very long time for a large number of people. Probably a useful thing to spread the pain around a bit as form of education. It's really hard to think of a group of people more out of touch than the denizens of Silicon Valley and their ilk.

>You're probably oblivious to the fact that its already been screwed up for a very long time for a large number of people.

Uh-huh. You're probably very smart.

Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#47

Post by lazyeye »

vegai_ wrote: post #46
lazyeye wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're probably oblivious to the fact that its already been screwed up for a very long time for a large number of people. Probably a useful thing to spread the pain around a bit as form of education. It's really hard to think of a group of people more out of touch than the denizens of Silicon Valley and their ilk.

>You're probably oblivious to the fact that its already been screwed up for a very long time for a large number of people. Uh-huh. You're probably very smart.

Hmm..difficult to reply to content-free comments.

Re: Ask HN: Do you feel bad for having a good job?

#48

Post by FWKevents »

throwmenow_0140 wrote: post #19

> I feel bad because I'm younger than they are, but [I enjoy privileges] The world is not fair. You are not responsible for the way the world currently is, but you have a responsibility as a citizen of the world to work on lessening the inequality and pain. It’s good that you feel bad, but the next step is to use this feeling effectively and act on it by volunteering, working in politics and working in businesses tha…

I wish I could give your answer 10 upvotes instead of just one.
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