Attention Economy


Sunday, November 20, 2022

The Desire to Quit

‘Let it rot’ or ‘the big quit’ … eventually it’s reality that bites
https://www.scmp.com/comment/article/3200313/let-it-rot-or-big-quit-eventually-its-reality-bites
Alex Lo notes:
And you can share your most insignificant moments as lived experiences such as eating your instant noodles with an egg this morning on social media. You think the world is at your fingertip.
At least for those who live in an urbanised setting with online connectivity, life has never been easier in the history of the human race. That gives you the illusions of freedom and autonomy. And mainstream social media – for which your data and usage are their revenue sources – are happy to propagate those myths.
Unfortunately, even at this point in human history with its unprecedented abundance, most of us still need to work to make a living. Unless you are very lucky or possess highly unique and bankable skills, the second you step back into the workplace, the harsh reality sinks in. It’s drudgery, tedium and highly repetitive work. It’s not spiritually rewarding. You are just a cog and nobody cares what you ate this morning.
I can understand why many people can’t accept the dichotomy between their two planes of existence. When they look at their smartphones, they are at the centre of the social universe. But all around them at work, they are just more cogs in the machine. No wonder so many want to quit.