In the last 50 years, most countries in the western industrial world have moved away from traditional forms of work and into services.
Farming, textiles, iron and steel work, the making of things, has become too expensive and has moved to lower-cost economies.
According to the European Commission, the main growth sectors in the European economy are hospitality, health, education and recreation. We can say same for the United States, Canada, Australia and other capitalist economies.
75% to 80% of working adults in these apparently sophisticated economies work in services. We are the vehicles by which the corporate entity achieves its aims, and work, in large part, has lost its inherent value and become a means to an economic end.
I suspected this was the case for quite a while, and recent research I conducted supported this suspicion.
We don't know how to use our hands and our bodies any more. We can't make things, practical things. We don't know how to grow food, to fix a roof, or build a wall.
Some of us do, but many of us don't.
So why does this have to be a problem? Is it even a problem?
Well, when psychologists define work as “activity that is directed towards ‘valued goals' beyond the enjoyment of the activity itself” (Warr, 2002)1, and where we tacitly subscribe to that concept, we can see the direction we're headed.
If this thing we do, call it work if you wish, is making us miserable then the onus is on us to change it.
A return to making things by hand could be a route to that change, greater meaning and purpose, and a happier life.
Article references
- Warr, P. (2002). Psychology at work. Penguin UK.
Agree with the ethos, but you can’t slate the desire to create “value” and promote the desire to create “goods” as being a better desire. They fulfill in different ways and appeal to different groups. Groups that wish to be “fulfilled” via enjoyment & benefit derived from creation of goods are entitled to do so and should be respected for their efforts which may yield rewards. Likewise some see their role as creators of wealth and they exploit their canvas ( the capitalist model) to fulfill their desire , which transpires to lead to a virtuous cycle of seeking more fulfillment !
Bottom line we all want to be fulfilled and this according to your buddy Maslow , is what floats our collective boats.
If I make a pair of shoes that is a virtuous act. If I put them on my web site and the domain is managed by Google who via Search Engine Optimisation funnel traffic to my site is that still as virtuous or is trickery at play ??
Keep well, keep writing and keep the faith .
Good man whacker! I wondered when my devious content marketing tactics would draw you in…mwaahaahaa…(maniacal laugh)
No trickery regarding the shoes, I think, as long as the shoes remain the motivation rather that the monetary outcome. If money for the shoes become the focus then you’ll cut the quality, time, material etc. for higher margin. That’s when the problems arise. IMO of course.
Good to hear from you