this post was submitted on 06 Oct 2023
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I can't stand doing stuff that I know is fruitless. I've flat out refused to perform tasks that don't make any sense at work, and I usually get a thank you for it when someone eventually figures out why I was opposed to it in the first place.
I'll do busy work all day. Doesn't bother me one bit as long as I'm getting paid. I don't believe in the values or motives of capitalism or endless profit made by workers being handed to owners is in any way a noble pursuit, so I consider the act of going to work to have no point beyond getting enough to eat under a roof. I'm in IT, but if a supervisor brings a barrel of marbles and wants me to count them, you got it boss.
Our system of greed just isn't meaningful to me. I can't believe in it, I wish I didn't have to associate myself with it, but I do get hungry, so that is the extent of my interest in participation. Enough to do menial tasks while I silently judge my employer's gluttony, obvious dishonesty, and sociopathy until its time to go home. Murica.
Interesting perspective. I've always taken pride in doing a job well. Doesn't matter if I'm digging ditches, or building websites. That ditch is going to be the best ditch I can dig, and that website will be the best code I can write. So when I'm asked to do something that's counterproductive to our overall goal, I oppose the request. I know my job makes someone else more money than it does me, but that doesn't stop me from trying to do my best while I'm there.
That's fine, but from my perspective our society just takes advantage of that kind of good will.
And the oligarchs that own major major media and inform curriculum from K-Colleges of economics push that "the dignity of work is it's own reward" propaganda specificity because it makes profitable bargains as workers.
They exercise no such good will when deciding to "curtail redundancies" on the employees that made them their money for scraps.
I get it though. It's easier to focus on the work in front of you. I fixate on the ultimate purpose, the "why."
you can find work or create work that feels like it serves a greater purpose, though i admit it is hard to find and often comes with a heap of bullshit on the side.
that said, i think "taking care of myself" can be worthy purpose enough.
If someone brings you a barrel of marble to count it, you switch your job, because there are other companies, who'll pay you for reasonable work. Don't degrade yourself to the level of a bootlicker. Other than that I agree to let things work out how your boss told you, unless he/she makes a serious attempt at respecting you and your work and earned the truth. At least for me, boring work isn't good for my mental health, as my mind wants to be used for something. You got to have some self respect.