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The Overworked American
Old 06-24-2005, 10:38 AM   #1
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The Overworked American

by Juliet Schor, Harvard economist

Anyone else read this?
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-24-2005, 12:46 PM   #2
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Re: The Overworked American

Link would help
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-24-2005, 01:08 PM   #3
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Re: The Overworked American

Quote:
Originally Posted by saluki9
Link would help
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-24-2005, 01:16 PM   #4
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Re: The Overworked American

Quote:
Originally Posted by moghopper
I believe I read that one, but it has been some time now. I also read http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846 , which essentially says that many feel more appreciated at work than at home, and thus, work more. Juliet Schor (Overworked American / OverSpent American) takes the position that people buy too much *stuff* they do not need, and have to work longer and harder to pay for it all. The review there states that Schor suggests that "we are also willing victims of this erosion of leisure as we pursue promotions, bigger salaries, and conspicuous consumption. Her solution? Hold jobs to a set number of hours per week, offer comp time for any overtime, and lower our living standards. "
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-24-2005, 01:43 PM   #5
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Re: The Overworked American

I thought about reading it but it seemed like too much work. I read the synopsis instead. I think the book has plenty of valid, important points.
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-24-2005, 03:36 PM   #6
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Re: The Overworked American

Mog,

Is your glass half full or half empty?



Yes?


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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-25-2005, 06:15 AM   #7
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Re: The Overworked American

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..Her solution? Hold jobs to a set number of hours per week, offer comp time for any overtime, and lower our living standards.
How about a government job?
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-25-2005, 09:58 AM   #8
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Re: The Overworked American

Her solution is not very compatible with the global competition we face in 2005 and forward.* Only true solution I see is to get the best job possible in terms of time, money and happiness (or better still, owning a successful small business), and LBYM.* I don't think the rest of the world is going to cooperate with lightening our load ...
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-27-2005, 08:35 AM   #9
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Re: The Overworked American

Quote:
Originally Posted by BUM
Mog,

Is your glass half full or half empty?



Yes?
My glass isn't in a vacuum - so half air, half water.

I guess completely full.
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-27-2005, 01:50 PM   #10
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Re: The Overworked American

Like a number of members on this forum, I got into the computer (gravy train) profession almost 30 years ago. "Gravy train" because I was a musician with no college degree armed with a "free" 3 months crash course on programming. Began making great money with 2 years. I never felt too overworked partially because work for many years was enjoyable and didn't always feel like work until about 10 years ago.

I was wondering if such an easy and lucrative avenue is available for the current generation who are not work at MacDonalds or Walmart? Robbing banks and being a gigolo doesn't count.
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-27-2005, 02:20 PM   #11
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Re: The Overworked American

Quote:
Originally Posted by MJ
I was wondering if such an easy and lucrative avenue is available for the current generation who are not work at MacDonalds or Walmart?
Owning a McDonalds or Walmart.
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-27-2005, 03:57 PM   #12
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Re: The Overworked American

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Originally Posted by retire@40
Owning a McDonalds or Walmart.
Well, that may cover the lucrative part what about easy?
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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-27-2005, 04:56 PM   #13
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Re: The Overworked American

Quote:
Her solution is not very compatible with the global competition we face in 2005 and forward.* Only true solution I see is to get the best job possible in terms of time, money and happiness (or better still, owning a successful small business), and LBYM.* I don't think the rest of the world is going to cooperate with lightening our load ...
Apparently, the rest of the world is too busy vacationing to care, if you believe the "Take Back your Time" folks:


Quote:
We're working more than medieval peasants did, and more than the citizens of any other industrial country.

On average, we work nearly nine full weeks (350 hours) LONGER per year than our peers in Western Europe do.

Working Americans average a little over two weeks of vacation per year, while Europeans average five to six weeks. Many of us (including 37% of women earning less than $40,000 per year) get no paid vacation at all.

There's more of this sort of thing at:* http://www.simpleliving.net/timeday/

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Re: The Overworked American
Old 06-27-2005, 10:53 PM   #14
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Re: The Overworked American

Quote:
Originally Posted by Caroline
On average, we work nearly nine full weeks (350 hours) LONGER per year than our peers in Western Europe do.
Having worked with Europeans in the past, I can testify to the veracity of this statement.
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