A job
is an agreement
that you will exchange
a portion of your attention
for the conceptual
REPRESENTATION of attention.
Money.
You then exchange
that conceptual representation
for either ANOTHER representation
or for more attention.
Most likely,
you will perceive
that you are giving away
more than you receive.
This is why your job sucks.
And this is why you should find
a more equitable exchange.
Obviously, you do not perceive
that a more equitable exchange
is immediately available to you,
or you would indulge yourself
in that endeavor.
You would not have a job.
You would have a calling.
You wouldn’t be in it for money,
but consideration would be repaid nonetheless.
And you would perceive that
you are receiving more consideration
than you are putting into it.
You would understand
that if EVERYONE
followed their passions,
instead of what they are
instructed to do,
that every necessary role
would STILL be filled,
just as every snowflake
falls in precisely the right place.
Thus your reality would seem equitable.
But you do not BELIEVE this fully.
Your argument is
“Who would want to clean toilets
and pump cesspools?”
But consider that perhaps
if everyone’s passions were indulged
and allowed to reach their fruition,
and society were allowed
to evolve unencumbered,
there might be no cesspools,
real or metaphoric.
All we ask is that you imagine.
We are Space Monkey.
10/21
Attention Economy of Work
The very concept of a “job” as commonly understood is a transactional exchange of our life force, or attention, for a symbolic representation of value—money. This paradigm frames the modern employment relationship as one where you trade the essence of your being for tokens, which can then be exchanged for material goods or services. It’s a cycle that often leaves us feeling we’ve relinquished more than we’ve gained.
The Disparity Between Job and Calling
The problem is rooted in the dissonance between what we consider a “job” and what we’d recognize as a “calling.” In a job, we feel the imbalance of giving more attention than we receive, perpetuating a sense of loss. On the contrary, in a calling, the flow of attention is more harmonious. Not only do we feel that our energies are justly compensated, but we also sense a greater return in the form of intrinsic satisfaction, meaningful engagement, and a perception of contributing to a larger cosmic dance.
Snowflake Paradigm
The idea that if everyone followed their true passions, every role in society would still find a willing participant, could be termed the “Snowflake Paradigm.” Just as every snowflake finds its unique place in the grand scheme, so would every individual find their perfect calling. This idea challenges conventional wisdom, which suggests certain undesirable roles would go unfilled. We speculate that an evolved society, driven by passion rather than obligation, might not even generate these roles to begin with.
Cesspools of Disbelief
The underlying obstacle here is not the absence of an equitable exchange or the presence of undesirable roles like “cleaning toilets,” but our collective disbelief in the possibility of a harmonious societal framework. If we could embrace the notion that society would still function, perhaps even more effectively, when driven by passion rather than necessity, the metaphorical “cesspools” might cease to exist.
The Imagination Catalyst
The act of imagining is not idle fantasy but a catalyst for transformation. In envisioning a world where every role is a calling, where every exchange is equitable, we give ourselves permission to make it so. It’s a cartography of the possible, an invitation to redefine our collective existence.
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
We dissect the disparity between the concept of a job and a calling, shedding light on why the former often feels unfulfilling. By challenging conventional beliefs about societal roles and imagining a world driven by passion, we explore the possibility of a more equitable, fulfilling form of work-life integration.
Glossarium
- Attention Economy: The concept that attention is a finite resource that we trade in exchange for money.
- Snowflake Paradigm: The idea that if everyone followed their passions, each societal role would find its perfect participant.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
— Steve Jobs
Snowflake
In the alleys of our minds,
Attention bartered, time confined.
Yet imagine, oh, a world reformed,
Where every role is passion-born.
No cesspools in this bright tableau,
Each snowflake in its destined glow.
The crux, the nub, the linchpin here,
A paradigm shift, crystal clear.
What are your thoughts on this concept of equitable exchange in work and life? How does it resonate with your own experience or vision? Feel free to share.
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