Why do we work so damn much? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#11

Post by dsauerbrun » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:22 AM UTC

theonemind wrote: post #8

refurb wrote: post #3

Because we want stuff.

Not so. In the US, your health insurance is often tied to your employment. You often don't get health insurance unless you work full time. Full time is always 40 hours or more. That isn't a whole lot more productive than 32 hours, but employers benefit by having fewer employees work more rather than more employees working less, because of costs like health insurance. I think it's quite a bit more complicated than "be…

you can pay for health insurance if you don't have a job. I've done that many times in between jobs; it's totally feasible for single people. I was paying between $250-$320 per month as a healthy 30 year old.

most jobs I've had only cover 50% of the healthcare premiums so big whoop... I'm saving $150/mo by getting health care through my job... the money isn't worth needing a job.

this may not be the experience for people not in tech/high salaries, with medical conditions, or families but I sometimes get tired of the blanket statement that you need a job to get healthcare in the states.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#12

Post by oars » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:23 AM UTC

Plenty of other software engineers in my company don't have much else to do outside of work.

For many of us, working provides our lives with structure, and a purpose that we're able to pursue.

I don't know what I'd do with all the additional spare time I have without my job. My kids wouldn't be at home because they're at school. I already have enough time for my hobbies on weekends and when my kids go to sleep.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#13

Post by cirrus3 » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:26 AM UTC

This is mostly a rant on the style of article title and intro. The content may be interesting, but I seriously doubt it.

It starts off with:

> Hunter-gatherers worked 15-hour weeks. Why don’t we?

Uh, well, for starters, 15 hours is apparently what it took to survive and live a comparatively successful lifestyle back then, a lifestyle that really only involved SURVIVING to see the next day.

Dial that up to what it takes to live a comparatively successful lifestyle now and you know the reasons, article done.

The whole "15 hours" thing is misleading considering that in the modern world where we're not all on the same playing field anymore (for a lot of disturbing underlying reasons) and just fighting for survival is no longer the common experience or goal, and again, lots of easy reasons.

I did not read this whole thing but the premise and title seems to ignore so many obvious reasons out of the gate that it didn't seem worth it. Maybe they got down stating some obvious reasons, but I may never know... starting off with a click-bait title and intro lost my interest asap.

If you want to comment "but hey, you never said what those easy reasons are!! provide links!!" then you are probably part of the problem.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#14

Post by refurb » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:28 AM UTC

theonemind wrote: post #8

refurb wrote: post #3

Because we want stuff.

Not so. In the US, your health insurance is often tied to your employment. You often don't get health insurance unless you work full time. Full time is always 40 hours or more. That isn't a whole lot more productive than 32 hours, but employers benefit by having fewer employees work more rather than more employees working less, because of costs like health insurance. I think it's quite a bit more complicated than "be…

The article is “working so much”, not “why are people working”?

All the middle class folks I know work crazy hours because they want a new car, or to buy a bigger house or save for their kids private education. Not needs, wants.

They could take a job that pay a bit less, has health insurance and gives them back 20 hrs a week, but they aren’t willing to make that trade off.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#15

Post by Blackstone4 » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:29 AM UTC

I meet plenty of professionals who despite having made millions and could retire, still work. Why? I believe a large part of their identity and self-worth is tied up in their work and net worth… they get respect and power… their roles give them a position in society. For many, they get used to the amount of money they’ve made but it’s never enough. The type of personality that drove them to work hard and become rich will not allow themselves to take it easy and hit the beach. These are perpetual high achievers.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#16

Post by prawn » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:29 AM UTC

baggy_trough wrote: post #7

"hunter-gatherer societies like the Ju/’hoansi spent only about 15 hours a week meeting their material needs despite being deeply impoverished by modern standards." I don't understand the "despite" in the above sentence. The more they would work to meet their material needs, the less impoverished they would become, no?

I think it's suggesting that they don't work more hours despite having an easy/obvious incentive (to our eyes) to improve their lot. There are a lot of mid/upper-class people in a typical, modern, urban society who have shelter, food, safety and more but pour in 70 hours a week, maybe paying off a big house or trying to get a fancier car or more expensive clothes.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#17

Post by asdswe » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:30 AM UTC

baggy_trough wrote: post #7

"hunter-gatherer societies like the Ju/’hoansi spent only about 15 hours a week meeting their material needs despite being deeply impoverished by modern standards." I don't understand the "despite" in the above sentence. The more they would work to meet their material needs, the less impoverished they would become, no?

I guess the point is that they're content with what they have, even if it's just the bare minimum.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#18

Post by bruce511 » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:31 AM UTC

baggy_trough wrote: post #7

"hunter-gatherer societies like the Ju/’hoansi spent only about 15 hours a week meeting their material needs despite being deeply impoverished by modern standards." I don't understand the "despite" in the above sentence. The more they would work to meet their material needs, the less impoverished they would become, no?

"despite them having time resources to raise their standard of living, they chose not to spend time on more work."

Clearly they do not feel impoverished, and, dare I say it, do not feel that "modern standards" are worth working for.

While some standards are obviously good, like medicine, water, sanitation - some others like 2 cars, or a dishwasher may be less inspirational.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#19

Post by barnaclejive » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:32 AM UTC

Blackstone4 wrote: post #15

I meet plenty of professionals who despite having made millions and could retire, still work. Why? I believe a large part of their identity and self-worth is tied up in their work and net worth… they get respect and power… their roles give them a position in society. For many, they get used to the amount of money they’ve made but it’s never enough. The type of personality that drove them to work hard and become rich…

Imagine reading this and extracting out a perspective focusing on why millionaires keep working. Hard cringe.

Re: Why do we work so damn much?

#20

Post by asdswe » Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 5:32 AM UTC

likecarter wrote: post #9

Well, it’s easy to see the result. There are plenty of countries with high unemployment (especially among youth). Take Greece for example. Their economy isn’t doing so great relative to a country with high employment - Canada, USA, Germany, France, UK. Work hard if you want to have the highest standard of living.

Highest material standard of living perhaps, not so sure about quality of life in general.

I think working hard only makes sense if you're adequately compensated and have prospects of career growth. Otherwise doing the bare minimum is the rational thing to do.