Comments on: You are not irreplaceable

By: Hannah

Hannah — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:53:02 +0000

I agree to the extent that people are replaceable in concrete, information and skill based fields like science and finance. But people are definitely irreplaceable in the fields of art, music, creative writing, and other intuitive endeavors. That is why, as much as I realize I won’t go back to the English major, I miss the illusion of… one day having a job that can be self-actualizing. Now, I just seek a job that will pay the bills, and extra money so I can RETIRE soon to do the things I *really* want to do. I’m only 21, but the hard reality set in quick… that only a few lucky people can have careers that are emotionally/intellectually fulfilling and self-validating. These “special” jobs (cultural criticism, essaysists, “intellectuals”, philosophers, artists, musicians, movie directors, actors) etc. are reserved for only a few privileged people… either through birth and connections, or sheer luck. I used to wish to be one of this crowd… then I realized that that’s no different that wishing to win the lottery. I agree, the rest of us, the 90%, work in roles where we can be replaced the next day. But this doesn’t apply to the lucky 10% who hold down creative positions that utilize their personalities and unique interests.

By: Steve Austin

Steve Austin — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:07:46 +0000

That sounds deep. I fancy that my outlook in that regard is more holistic: integrity of society contributes to integrity of self, and integrity of self contributes to integrity of society. So why even consider it obligation? It’s self-interest that drives one to contribute to the integrity of society, eh?

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:31:55 +0000

What I was getting at is that no individual is crucial to the integrity of society and therefore no individual is obligated to society.

By: Steve Austin

Steve Austin — Tue, 27 May 2008 15:11:52 +0000

Maybe I didn’t just read your post with enough care to figure out what you were really getting at, but I just wanted to say this: I don’t think you’re obligated to anyone w.r.t. this blog. Please continue to blog about whatever the hell you want, however the hell often you want. ;-\