Right Brain Ronnie
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[News] Is Britain work shy ?
- Thread starter Leekbrookgull
- Start date
BadFish
Huge Member
- Oct 19, 2003
- 18,216
With the introduction of robots and now Ai we should surely be looking at a way where people could work less.
It seems to me that there are not only lots of people who are not working but also lots of people who are working more than they should or would like.
Of course it would take a shift away from the rampant uncontrolled capitalism that we all mindlessly accept as the norm and into a different way of thinking.
Of course those with access to methods of power are well cared for by the current system and do not want change. I have not read the thread but I have no doubt those at the bottom for which the system does not care for are copping most of the blame (as foreshadowed by the thread title).
Personally I love my job, despite a few frustrations.
It seems to me that there are not only lots of people who are not working but also lots of people who are working more than they should or would like.
Of course it would take a shift away from the rampant uncontrolled capitalism that we all mindlessly accept as the norm and into a different way of thinking.
Of course those with access to methods of power are well cared for by the current system and do not want change. I have not read the thread but I have no doubt those at the bottom for which the system does not care for are copping most of the blame (as foreshadowed by the thread title).
Personally I love my job, despite a few frustrations.
The issue you raise in your other post something has changed, I don't think it's just covid but the way everything is centred around mental health. This country and many others would really struggle if a Ukraine happened on our shores.
What concerns me is with the reluctance to do any work that requires effort It's been happening for decades. London Transport, Builders, Corner Shops, Petrol Stations, Post Offices and even a British Tradition, Fish and Chips run by Chinese.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Was it called Benefit Street? If so, it was on Look North tonight as it is it's 10th anniversary. It was filmed in Stockton
Think you’re right
HillBarnTillIDie
Active member
- Jul 2, 2011
- 104
Growing up, you needed money to do stuff… going clubbing, to the pub or on holiday and you wouldn’t want to miss out.
It was difficult to get a credit card so to be involved, you had to have the cash. Me and my mates all had weekend jobs prior to our full time jobs to pay for our amusements.
In these times, kids don’t go out. They sit in a play computers, watch Netflix or do social media off the back of their payed for by others internet services.
And this is leading into early adulthood with there being to many distractions which satisfy the “work shy’s” time.
It was difficult to get a credit card so to be involved, you had to have the cash. Me and my mates all had weekend jobs prior to our full time jobs to pay for our amusements.
In these times, kids don’t go out. They sit in a play computers, watch Netflix or do social media off the back of their payed for by others internet services.
And this is leading into early adulthood with there being to many distractions which satisfy the “work shy’s” time.
HalfaSeatOn
Well-known member
Fortunately, we’re in a society where we can choose to be hard working or not. Hard work doesn’t equate to success (long hours at low pay rates) but it seems logical that it is more likely to lead to success and rewards than being work shy. The system is geared more to putting yourself in a lucky position which is often, but not always, out of our hands ie born in to wealth, good gene make up etc. I get both why individuals go for it while others give up hope.
BadFish
Huge Member
- Oct 19, 2003
- 18,216
Over here we were often discussion the notion of 'essential workers' it doesn't take a massive leap of thought to start considering the jobs at the other end of the scale.
Perhaps we should have taken the opportunity covid offered to reassess the way we work and where it sits as a necessity.
BadFish
Huge Member
- Oct 19, 2003
- 18,216
Young people are also watching people working full time and struggling to cover the basics and not being able to afford to do stuff or buy a house.
Working purely as a means to earn money doesn't look that appealing at the moment. Those who are following a passion or vocation see things differently of course.
There you go
Weststander
Well-known member
Interesting points.
Ukraine …. definitely. Being bombed by a mass murderous, your nation’s joy and freedom destroyed by a cnt of a bullying neighbour. WW2 similarly. How would a soft (civilised) west Europe cope with a genocide/illegal invasion these days? I know my kids would refuse to die for a cause, they told me. Putin only maintains his side of it by conscription in a police state …. tens of thousands of men sent to their early deaths in the meat grinder.
Your second bit. That’s proven isn’t it by the wave of Asians who came to the UK to work bloody hard in those roles, then more recently folk from Portugal, Spain, Poland, Italy and Romania.
BadFish
Huge Member
- Oct 19, 2003
- 18,216
The meritocracy is broken and I would agree that many young people do not see hard work resulting in achievement or even in a comfortable living (my kids are pessimistic about ever owning a house, even with a third of the equity in my house. Making them one of the lucky ones you mention).
Weststander
Well-known member
I went to the same rough n tumble state comp as @Herr Tubthumper and @Sid and the Sharknados.
I think we all did alright in life despite no old boys network or parental handouts. As did all my friends at school. The expression is in spite of that school. Probably by one or two inspirational teachers, at some stage in our lives the penny dropped that working bloody hard for high level exams was a worthwhile cause, having resilience in being patient that all will come in the end. I was on crap money until my 30’s. Your comment about hard work is definitely key, it can make things possible.
It’s exactly the people who make, watch and support GB News who are screwing young people over.
There’s no doubt for me that the only way out of hardship for most people is to work hard.
That’s not the case for everyone but it worked for me.
A few years ago I was in debt and back to renting again.
I took a job doing 12 hour night shifts and took all the overtime I could. All on minimum wage but working 80hr weeks. I did that for 5 years.
Paid back all my debts and although I’m still renting I have a nicer place to live and went on to get better qualifications and onto a better job.
I can’t put that down to anything else but putting the hours in. It does still work.
That’s not the case for everyone but it worked for me.
A few years ago I was in debt and back to renting again.
I took a job doing 12 hour night shifts and took all the overtime I could. All on minimum wage but working 80hr weeks. I did that for 5 years.
Paid back all my debts and although I’m still renting I have a nicer place to live and went on to get better qualifications and onto a better job.
I can’t put that down to anything else but putting the hours in. It does still work.
BadFish
Huge Member
- Oct 19, 2003
- 18,216
... Whilst laying the blame on them, I expect.
HalfaSeatOn
Well-known member
Not sure on the source and credibility (there’s quite a bit on the internet) but lends itself to someone being lucky to have good entrepreneurial genes (In part!). https://executiveacademy.at/en/news/detail/the-discovery-of-the-entrepreneurship-gene/
Can't remember if any from my tutor group went to university. Must admit lost touch with most of them. I did keep in touch with two, Brian Owen and Spencer Vignes (year below), I do know the one who barely attended school is now a multi-millionaire. Working hard may not make you rich but it certainly lowers the odds. I would never ask anyone who worked for me to do something I haven't done.
Weststander
Well-known member
Having met countless business owners, also people who excelled as professionals or as academics/scientists, another couple of sides to this:
- second gen to wealth often blow it all, lacking the nous of their parent. Including toffs!
- folk who got little positive feedback from their parents, often have a drive to succeed. Making themselves their own champion.
BadFish
Huge Member
- Oct 19, 2003
- 18,216
