This morning, I had a class for Political Communication, to discuss the use of 'fear tactics' in political campaigns and in the media. We were asked 'what are we most afraid of?', as students who are on the verge of graduating from University after 4 years. Most people agreed that the biggest 'fear' facing them was the prospect of not getting a job. Given the economic environment at the moment, we can hardly move for someone telling us that unemployment is at an all time high, and that we're all doomed to a life of soup-kitchen sandwiches and dole cues. An example is given that a student who graduated with our degree last year is yet to find a job, despite consistent performance at university and having the 'nice guy' quality that always wins in a job interview. I'm pretty sure though, that say 3 or 4 years ago when the economy was at it's brightest, there were still a few graduates floating around in no-mans land a year or two after completing their degree, in fact I'm sure of it, I know a bunch of people who "couldn't find a job" or said that "there are no jobs" and ended up working flat out at bars, supermarkets, restaurants and so on. I really don't think the situation has changed much since then, if you're employable then you'll get employed; OK maybe you'll have to put more effort into making yourself more employable, but the principle remains the same.
The conversation drifted into a bit of a tangent there-after, when questioned as to why they wanted to "just get a job", consensus was that "a job" was really all that mattered, hence the "just". "Just" getting a job, so that we can "just" buy a house and a car, and "just" earn money. Why? Because "at the end of the day", paying the bills is what matters. It's hard to argue against this, because we all do need to survive, and paying bills helps. People always back-down when money comes into play, especially if the argument is with a single mother against a tv chef who is hell bent on persuading her not to "feed her starving children" with battery powered chickens. "But I'm a single mother, I don't have that much money" - "Oh, OK, fair enough".
It was suggested that adopting the philosophy of "just", was at the root of anti-social behavior and alcoholism in Britain. As people use "just" in their day to day life, they are driven positively insane at the weekends to the point of mindless violence and anger. This gets even worse when we go on holiday and smash up a small Greek island for a couple of weeks in summer. Britain is an achieving country, that is in small doubt, we've had a consistently strong economy, arguably due to the fact that we have one of the longest working days in Europe. Yet we have persistent social and cultural deficits, arguably due to the fact that we have one of the longest working days in Europe. The philosophy of "just" works in some domains, whilst leaves others in ruin.
Do something you love, something which you're passionate about, wealth doesn't have to mean money, love, family, friends and life happiness are true wealth.
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