Conspicuous Production?

[Brogrizzly]

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/24/new-status-symbol-hard-work-spending-ceos?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

This is the genius of conspicuous production. It not only promotes a culture of overwork, it makes our dwindling amount of leisure time economically productive. There is no escape: either we’re working for the company or we’re working on ourselves, but we’re always working. “Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours of what we will” was the anthem of the workers who first demanded the eight-hour-day more than a century ago. Those distinctions don’t make sense any more. Even our sleep is factored into our productivity score – the entrepreneur of the self never gets to clock out.

I found this little nugget of thought over at the Gaurdian. I'm not sure if this belongs in general so forgive the misplacement, if so. But looking at the social costs/ economic impacts of the concepts in the article had me wondering, if people actually process thinking working hours in these terms? Especially in terms of persons of color/gender, how they process new conspicuous production? Anyways, just thought I'd share as a distraction from the Trump nonsense all the time, I've had about enough of that orange shitgibbon as I can stand.

[Squinch]

1. Interesting. Also interesting that none of the "conspicuous production" activities they mention

actually produces anything.

What a world.

[Brogrizzly]

4. I suppose as in the article, it does generate data and revenue for Facebook, etc.

But in general I agree with you, this monitoring of time, lacks self reflection.

[Squinch]

5. Right. At it's base it's all about filling time with pursuing the good opinion of others.

[hunter]

2. This thing we now call "economic productivity..."

... is a direct measure of the damage we are doing to our planet's natural environment and our own human spirit.

We ought to be paying people to experiment with low energy lifestyles that have low environmental impacts.

High energy "consumer" lifestyles are not a prerequisite of happiness.

[Squinch]

6. I think if you look closely, they're the opposite. They're gerbil treadmills.

I like your idea about low energy lifestyles.

[Brogrizzly]

7. Right, I also like this concept of a low energy lifestyle.

[BigmanPigman]

3. You would think that with all of this productivity

things would be more efficient. Instead people and technology are less reliable and competent causing more time needed to correct the newly created errors and wasting even more time. Is this progress?