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In light of our ep. 83, many listeners had questions on Frithjof's social/political/economic proposals for creating a post-job, pro-meaningful-work world.
Mark Linsenmayer here pitches a number of these questions (culled from our blog and Facebook group) to Frithjof. What would a future New Work world look like? How do first-world folks fit into the project? How can I make MY calling economically work RIGHT NOW? What does New Work require for education? How do New Work proposals relate to legislative moves like a guaranteed minimum income? How do Bergmann's ideas relate to Marx's?
Some sort of answer to all these questions and more is now yours for the listening.
Connect with us via newworknewculture.com and partiallyexaminedlife.com The New Work Facebook group is at www.facebook.com/groups/nankcollaboratory.
I want to thank Mark for not only introducing Frithjof Bergmann’s writing and thinking (I’ve had very similar ideas) but also the follow-up Q&A. And, of course, I want to thank Frithjof’s for his time and generosity. I’m listening for a second time and will probably post a few responds after this one because that’s my style vs. a composed drawn-out essay structured word document.
(Reminds me of the contention among educators in K-12 being stressed for having to teach many writing techniques–tech writing [STEM] and essay college writing [Humanities]).
Re. poverty: What do we mean by poverty? Of course, there’s the material economic understanding of poverty, but I think there’s another poverty that needs to be challenged. I have had friendships with people who live in utter poverty in terms of living conditions and their stories about their childhood are unbelievable. You don’t know what abuse is until you have listened to their stories. And after you have listened and really start to understand them that’s when you question poverty and who is poor. Don’t misunderstand me, I know people who are not living in economic poverty who are decent human beings. I think what they share is a type of humility, a humility that has a lot of baggage today. I like Fromm’s understanding best and think he hit the mark spot on..
At 4.26 Bergmann mentions a life that is much more cheerful and at 7.13 social phycology and social behavior this for me has been the most interesting part of my work that’s the most energizing and baffling. I think people really need to lighten-up and reflect a bit more when trying to make policy changes for the good of it’s community (according to the mission statement). Of course, I find professionals who are in their 60s and 70s to be much more fun and for this reason think that’s a wisdom that comes with age. I think they’re good mentors too.
I like Stanley Fish.
Doing What Comes Naturally is a classic.
hey Mark, thanks for trying to get an answer to my question about how we try and help folks who are suffering from developmental deprivations (maybe in a sense when he says it’s “too late” FB gave an answer) , the emphasis on early education is reminiscent of Dewey’s “lab” school and is important but will come much too late (if ever which frankly given recent trends in taxation for schools is doubtful) for too many people so what do we do for this ever expanding part of our citizenry?
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2013/10/lasting-impacts-poverty-brain/7377/
Hi Mark,
I’ve been thinking and trying to develop an easier method for people who aren’t bordering poverty to transition into “New Work”. I was wondering where I could try and discuss the development of such an idea.
Also thanks a lot for making these episodes available. These Frithjof episodes have really gotten me excited!
Thanks,
Shane
Does Frithjof take “do what you love” for granted as a moral exhortation? There is a fascinating essay on this topic in Salon (referenced in NYT today). I always thought Steve Jobs’ graduation speech at Stanford was incredibly sophomoric, and Miya clearly explains one reason why.
Why should we encourage people to prioritize “what I love” over each of the following things that are arguably of greater moral significance:
a) “what I’m good at”
b) “what other people want”
c) “what I think the world needs”
Putting what I love to do ahead of these things almost makes it feel like we’re turning selfishness into a virtue. Here’s the ridiculous hypo: I’m Michael Jordan at the peak of my career, and simultaneously the world’s top cancer researcher, but now “what I’m passionate about” is stamp collecting … how would an ethical person spend their time? What balance is most “good”?
Anyway, she has a broad and very interesting take on the subject. Bergmann was an excellent guest! Sad I waited so long to listen to this episode. Not trying to call New Work some ironic Randian project, I just got a strange baby-boomer/putting-yourself-ahead-of-everything-and-everyone-else vibe while listening (and reviewing my college loans 😉
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/01/do_what_you_love_love_what_you_do_an_omnipresent_mantra_that_s_bad_for_work.html
There are people who love to work with their hands. And do customer service. Both of which would drive me nuts. I think people enjoy a greater diversity of things than we expect.
I’ve been around social activists groups. And those who have won’t be surprised that my questions are about handling the group dynamics – the politics and such.
Does Frithjof has particular processes or approaches that he uses or do these happen more locally? “Diff’rent strokes for diff’rent folks”?