“Hello?”

“Hey, dude.”

“Hey, man.”

“You know what’s scary?”

“What?”

“Have you ever really thought about how many people don’t give a shit about their jobs?”

“Not sure what constitutes ‘really’ thinking about it, but yeah, I’m pretty aware that most people don’t care.”

“Right? And, I think most people are generally aware of this fact. But, what I’m talking about is a slightly deeper dive. Like, think how much of our economy is upheld by people zombieing through their day doing something they care very little about.”

“OK, I’m thinking about it.”

“Not like that. I’ll explain. This country has what? About 300 million people. Let’s assume 35% of that is children, elderly, and non-working women. So, the workforce is roughly 195 million people. Now, think of who all that is. Think of the place you work. There’s the owner, a few key executive types, and maybe a few more people who have some emotional stake in the company. Maybe?”

“Maybe.”

“Right, like if you divided the company based on people’s love for the organization vs. their economic incentive, the two sides wouldn’t be close”.

“It wouldn’t even be an appropriate evaluation. I don’t even think anyone at my company would qualify for the former. Even the owner. His love is only as large as his economic upside.”

“Exactly. That’s the case for most any company. It’s just a bunch of people doing some organized function that none of them really care about. And, our economy is made up of company, after company, after company of people doing this. We all need money, this is how we get it, and so we cooperate. You can improve your status by getting into a role where you make more money for your trouble, but the underlying theme remains.”

“Now I see what you mean. I must say I never dove that deep into it, but I think you’re right. The entire economy is propped up by people doing shit they don’t really want to do.”
“And, we all go along with it. The American Dream is just getting into a position where you can enjoy some benefit from the work you put in on the front end. It’s like Social Security. It doesn’t make sense but by the time it’s your turn, you at least want back what you already paid in.”

“No one gives a shit. No one.”

“Well, almost no one. Strangely, the only people who seem to give a shit are the people who either don’t get adequately compensated or the people who we pay to watch work.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, first you have teachers, nurses, social workers. Basically those jobs that deliver a true benefit to society yet the people who do it are practically paid in peanuts. Then, you have athletes, musicians, actors, etc. We pay money to watch these people do their jobs. Those people give a shit because they do something fun. And, it’s entertaining enough that we actually pay to watch them do it. It’s insane.”

“Very insane. I want a job that’s so fun people pay to watch me do it.”

“We all do.”

“Fuck, dude. This is going to be in my head all day now. Thanks.”

“Anytime. Have fun walking the halls at work tomorrow.”

“That’s assuming I go in at all.”