THE 40 HOUR DECEIT

"The last 4 hours are always the hardest. Every sidelong glance at the bottom corner of the screen serves as a cruel reminder that we are not free to do as we please."-Anonymous

At least one-third of our waking hours are spent in the workplace. I think enough is enough.

Time isn't money, time is priceless.

One of the biggest tragedies of the modern age is the manner in which capital has permeated every aspect of society. This cancerous spread has infected our perception of time itself. We view idleness as a sin, the proverbial "Devil's Workshop" which must be countered with discipline and wage labor. A less common, but more constructive narrative is time as a parent, a force for growth and good, not to mention creativity and wisdom.

The only people who view time as a exploitable resource are businesses and corporations. Given this fact, they are always going to try and negotiate the best price for your time. I guess they figured out that 40 hours was as much as they could squeeze out of society without widespread unrest. Those who work part-time, here's hoping that you earn enough to support yourselves and live comfortably. For those working overtime, I pray for your bodies and your souls.

What would you even do?

Time is priceless, in the figurative sense. Its value lies in it's finite nature. Will you share your time with family and friends? Sell it on the market and labor on someone else's behalf? Will you stare into a screen and allow your time to melt into the datasphere? Some wander aimlessly across borders and landscapes, while others aim to achieve mastery of a certain skill.

You are free to do as you wish with your time. But whatever you do, just don't waste it, especially not behind a desk.

Take back your time.

I'm not telling you to quit your job, sell your possessions and travel the world. My only recommendation is that you reassess who - or what - is taking up an excessive amount of your time, and put them on notice.

Originally posted on General Public