Something I was thinking about in the car today, shuffling through songs that glorify The Hustle, talk about how money is all that matters…It got me wondering if there’s too much media that tells us that working ourselves to death is the only way to live.
Yes, I am of course aware that there’s plenty of media about living a life of leisure, rebelling against the grind, and so on. I’m am of course also aware that a solid work ethic is a generally positive trait.
So the question I guess comes down to balance. What do you see as the prevailing message in the media you see/hear/read? Is it, “Work as hard and amass as much money as you possibly can and nothing else matters?” Or do you see something different/better?
Capitalist propaganda. Capitalists pay to make that media, so it’s their culture that gets represented.
It’s a peculiar thing
Very American
I want to work as little as I possibly can. I have plenty to do with my life and making money for someone else isn’t important to me
Removed by mod
Gates over Auschwitz:
Arbeit macht frei, dumme Gans.
Removed by mod
That kind of media doesn’t really appeal to me so I don’t consume it. A lot of rap and country is about that (in different ways; hustling vs working hard at your job). The only recent show or movie I watched that I can think of that emphasizes overworking is The Pitt, but I’m not sure it glorifies it.
I do think working hard (or smart or whatever) is important and admirable, but only if the work is exceptionally important and beneficial to society (not most work), and not if you’re being exploited by your employer (most work). The most important work is probably the labor people don’t typically get paid to do (or get paid little).
I’m also of the opinion that trying to work too much is usually counterproductive and people get less work done. I’m pretty sure there are plenty of studies that confirm this.
Dolla dolla bill, yo
yes, the billionaires own the “popular media” and want to continue the “Don’t worry that your life sucks NOW, work hard, eek out an existence, MAYBE MAYBE you too could be wealthy, but if not, don’t worry, AFTER DEATH you get to be wealthy for sure, trust me brah…”
“Popular media” shouldn’t determine how you want to live.
However, you should objectively look at what it would take to achieve your goals. And reassess at regular intervals.
There’s an interesting video on this topic: “Hollywood’s obsession with ambition”
You might find it interesting, also gives examples of the opposite portrayed in media.
That’s why I routinely listen to this to fight back against The Hustle.
When you say media, do you mean Rap?
