Immodest Proposals X: You Work Too Hard

Hi there, Immodest Proposals members!

THE TOPIC:

This one is going to be a little more current-events, but don't worry, there's a future tech spin at the end.

The 'Great American Magazine' Mother Jones is running an article called "All Work and No Pay," (http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/06/speed-up-american-workers-long-hours) which is about creep in the responsibilities of American workers.

The gist: productivity and corporate profits are at an all time high, but unemployment is also tremendous. Basically, corporations are taking the employees they do have and running them into the ground rather than raising wages or making new hires.

Mother Jones says this is because US culture makes it so undesirable to be lazy, and so scary to be out of work, that we blame ourselves when we can't put up with unreasonable demands.

Or, like George Carlin put it:

"You know how I define the economic and social classes in this country? The upper class keeps all of the money, pays none of the taxes. The middle class pays all of the taxes, does all of the work. The poor are there... just to scare the shit out of the middle class. Keep 'em showing up at those jobs."

Is that really the situation? And how did it get this way?

Let's meet to discuss this situation,

How did our culture develop this attitude that more work is always better? Are there personal benefits to this kind of culture? How do we slow the "speedup" without hurting the overall society? What are some of our personal experiences about this? No doubt we'll hear a lot of them. Finally, and maybe MOST important: Technology obsoletes a lot of workers. The theory in the US is that means they're freed up for other jobs. Not so in other countries. So when the smart robots come to liberate your workplace, does that mean your life has been improved? THE VENUE:

We'll get together at Waystation, an awesome new bar in Park Slope Prospect Heights, and discuss these questions.

Waystation is the only steampunk bar we've ever heard of, and for anyone who is a Doctor Who fan, it's also got a TARDIS restroom that's bigger on the inside!

For those of you who don't like British science fiction, the bar slings some excellent drinks and always has a good craft brew on tap.

THE COST:

$8 (+ $0.55 paypal fee) in advance/$12 at the door (no fees)

We've set it up so that you can pay in advance when you RSVP with meetup! Online RSVPs will be open though May 2 at 12PM.

If we get more than 20 attendees, we'll be raffling off a free Better Worlds t-shirt!

These costs go right back in to getting awesome opportunities and venues for Immodest Proposals meetings. Not a cent is wasted.

Sadly, we cannot offer refunds if you miss the event.