The problem as I see it from a logistical point of view, is that all the crappy little jobs need to get done. We need someone to mop the supermarket floor, clean the public toilets and put up the event posters on the billboards.
I guess I think that it is not fair that some people in society are forced to do these kinds of jobs because they need the money to support themselves and possibly their families as well.
It is the kind of work that you wouldn’t really wish on anyone. I am wondering what would happen if we all pitched in and did a little bit of this kind of menial, dirty work each week (under excellent and hospitable conditions). If this turns out to not be possible, I think that the people who are doing these kinds of jobs should be paid HANDSOMELY to make up for the utter crap they have to do day to day.
The least we could do is say THANK YOU, often and sincerely to the people who do this crap!
However, my preference is that we would all of us pitch in to do a little bit of it. I think it would be good for us. I think it could be character-building.
Imagine some billionaire like Elon Musk mopping a supermarket floor one day because someone spilled something. I think it would do him the WORLD of good! Hehe.
What is the motivation?
I think that we humans all want the same things in life. We all just want enough money to sustain ourselves (and possibly our families), so that we can use our time to do things in life that are meaningful to us.
I guess some people are greedy, and just want more and more money, for the sake of money. But even the billionaires essentially get to enjoy their lives on their yachts or at sparkling parties or whatever, and they can do that because they have (a vastly disproportionate share of the) wealth.
If we all have the same need in life, which is essentially to have our basic needs met so that we can attain greater levels of self-actualisation, then maybe the real problem is how to provide and distribute the resources that every person in the world (or nation-state) needs.
Alternatively, the idea of a universal basic income (UBI) is an interesting one. Having a UBI will allow people to attain resources to satisfy their own needs through a post-capitalist economic system. From what I have read it holds a great deal of promise.
The reality of the menial jobs
It doesn’t change the fact that there are some jobs in society that are not glamorous or fun or even healthy. My idea is that we could all pitch in to get some of these jobs done. I don’t believe there are some second-class citizens in the world that are forced to do all our crappy jobs.
We can design ALL jobs so that they are enjoyable, social and meaningful. Individual businesses have the power to do this. At the moment it is not economically attractive to do this – so we don’t! But what if we weren’t solely motivated by economic concerns? What if we were motivated by the intrinsic satisfaction of getting all our jobs done?
Industry is still a worthwhile and prevalent value, even without money as the ultimate carrot!
The power of community
If you are interested in learning more about UBI or connecting with people who are working to make it happen (in Australia), you can join this meet-up here.
I feel too shy, too socially anxious, or too stupid to get involved, but maybe I SHOULD GET OVER MYSELF and just show up whoever I am! I think it has a LOT of potential, this movement!
