Free Time

[ananda]

Yea sure, ok. So when that surgeon and his busy hands are working away, he also has a restless mind?

No ... I wrote "busy hands leads to a restless mind" - I did not mean "busy hands are a sign of a currently restless mind"

 

[bhsmte]

No ... I wrote "busy hands leads to a restless mind" - I did not mean "busy hands are a sign of a currently restless mind"

That makes it very clear, thanks.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

If you work your 40 hours in just three 13+ hour work days you probably need several days off to recover. That seems unbalanced to me however. Imagine a concrete worker working 13 hour days, or a lumberjack, or a welder, or a ..........................

 

[Desk trauma]

That seems unbalanced to me however. Imagine a concrete worker working 13 hour days, or a lumberjack, or a welder, or a ..

12+ shifts, often weeks on end, are very common in all of those trades.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

12+ shifts, often weeks on end, are very common in all of those trades.

I wouldn't want to do it. I've worked as a tree trimmer and a landscaper, and after 8 hours I was 'finished' (and I was in very good shape).

 

[Desk trauma]

I wouldn't want to do it.

7/12s is a very common schedule on industrial construction and maintenance projects.

I suppose OP thinks I should get an 84 hour pay check and I only have to show up three or four days to get it?

 

[Dave-W]

12+ shifts, often weeks on end, are very common in all of those trades.

My wife's youngest brother was a machine repairman at Oldsmobile (before they closed) and he would often go for months at a time working 12 hours a day 7 days a week.

 

[possibletarian]

Why do some people find it so strange and terrible that people might have more free time?

As if free time means people don't know what to do with their time, or might do something bad.

If people worked 3 instead of 5 days, why couldn't people spend their time doing sport, art, taking in or creating entertainment, science and innovation, helping their community, or just relaxing?

I can see fairness and justice burn bright in the Paradoxium camp.
I like the idea of more free time, when I was younger I worked hard for all the things I wanted, the house, bringing my daughter up, making sure we both had everything we need. I think its probably a good idea when people are younger to expect them to work as hard as they need to to supply all they need.

Now that my daughter has been to university and moved from home, has a wonderful partner and they are buying a house of their own I can relax. I fully own the house, got a smaller much more economic car my financial needs are much less so I have taken to part time work and really enjoy it.

I think people have a few choices, I'm glad I worked hard when younger, I'm a very fit 57 year old and can enjoy the fruits of that labour as it were so my choice was right for me. Some may prefer though to work less over a much longer period, which would also be fine.

How about a system where people are given the opportunity to work total life hours which would equate to say a 30 hours week, but it's up to them how they spend it, they could work lots when younger and get a pension early, or work less when younger but have to work longer (or too our current age of retirement). Under this system everyone would be paid the same wage each week on trust. And there would be help when people are younger to borrow as it were against future wages instead of having to take out a loan.

This system would rely heavily on trust, I find it hard to imagine a perfect system, and just when I think I have a good idea either I or others see problems with it.

 

[Paradoxum]

"Idle hands are the devil's playground."

"Full time work leads to murder"

We can all make stuff up without evidence or reason.

 

[Paradoxum]

Lol. Another one of these threads?

No one else makes many threads here since I left coming here often.

Why don't you just work 3 days a week and relax the other 4?

I don't know. Aim for the Moon, get the Earth.

 

[Tree of Life]

I don't know. Aim for the Moon, get the Earth.

Well give it a try and let us know how it turns out for you!

 

[Paradoxum]

My partner is going to a three day schedule but still working a full 40 hours, is that your idea?

No, 4 days, but 8 hours or less a day.

 

[Paradoxum]

Quick question; do you work? If so, how many hours a week do you work?

I'd be interested in hearing why you ask first. I promise to be honest after. I wonder if you'll lie why you asked if I tell you first.

 

[Desk trauma]

No, 4 days, but 8 hours or less a day.

Why?

 

[Paradoxum]

Who finds it strange/terrible if other people have more free time?

Lots of people complain about it.

"Oh no, how will people find meaning with freedom... better enslave them".

Pretty sure people before civilisation were made to live without modern work.

 

[381465]

People are free to work as little or as much as they want to.

 

[Paradoxum]

I can see fairness and justice burn bright in the Paradoxium camp.

Maybe it should burn everyone.

I like the idea of more free time, when I was younger I worked hard for all the things I wanted, the house, bringing my daughter up, making sure we both had everything we need. I think its probably a good idea when people are younger to expect them to work as hard as they need to to supply all they need.

Young adults today can't afford what people in the past did at their age. The barrier to entry as raised significantly, beyond inflation.

How about a system where people are given the opportunity to work total life hours which would equate to say a 30 hours week, but it's up to them how they spend it, they could work lots when younger and get a pension early, or work less when younger but have to work longer (or too our current age of retirement). Under this system everyone would be paid the same wage each week on trust. And there would be help when people are younger to borrow as it were against future wages instead of having to take out a loan.

That seems a bit like chaos.

 

[Paradoxum]

Why?

It's a better life.

 

[Paradoxum]

Well give it a try and let us know how it turns out for you!

Because society hasn't changed in the past, to change is so crazy?

 

[Desk trauma]

It's a better life.

How is a lower income a better life?