Comments on: fat dumb happy

By: Let’s Do Something | Chris Denbow

Let’s Do Something | Chris Denbow — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:52:29 +0000

[...] Thanks to Hugh at Gaping Void for the illustration inspiration No TweetBacks yet. (Be the first to Tweet this [...]

By: Jonas

Jonas — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:29:38 +0000

While I agree with you that there will be less work for all of us in a couple of years, I don’t think the solution will be hard work.
We may arrive at a turning point where we have to forget about the 40 hours week and just admit that we don’t need everyone working that much anymore.
Machines and computers will do the hard work while humans will mostly be responsible for creative work and may only work 10 or 20 hours each week. Maybe some will not work in the conventional sense at all.
A lot will spend most of their time enjoying their hobbies (which may still be useful to the community).
This does not mean that our standard of living will deteriorate but politics will probably have to change dramatically to take over the money-distributing role which work has in our times.

By: K

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:27:19 +0000

I think you mean 60 geniuses.

By: links for 2009-11-25 « that dismal science

links for 2009-11-25 « that dismal science — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:15:39 +0000

[...] fat dumb happy (tags: work economics education culture life statistics healthcare highschool) [...]

By: Who do you work for?

Who do you work for? — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:05:09 +0000

[...] I found this cartoon on Hugh’s blog today, followed by this explanation: [...]

By: Monique

Monique — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:19:28 +0000

Yes, I recently saw a job posting for a Grateful Dead archivist that has to have an ALA masters degree in Library Sciences…I would like to meet this person!

By: Kevin Shrapnell

Kevin Shrapnell — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:25:05 +0000

Shift Happens – a fabulous presentation on a few of the implications of the growth of China & India’s populations.

http://www.slideshare.net/jbrenman/shift-happens-33834?type=powerpoint

Well worth a view if you haven’t seen it.

By: raj

raj — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:52:26 +0000

Just read the article Javed linked to.

I think it’s somewhat short-sighted to ask today’s CEO’s what they think are necessary skills for their companies to survive in the future.

That assumes those companies will be part of the future. Not to mention, the number one skill “ability to manage change” only reflects the amount of difficulty they are having in trying to move into the future.

Today’s kids don’t need to be taught how to use computers or iPhones. They don’t have difficulty programming a DVR and probably can’t even remember owning a VCR (let alone trying to set the clock). But a lot of them can’t spell, write coherently, or think more deeply than a quick Google search requires.

I think that the need for classical education is actually higher than it has ever been, lest the upcoming generations become sheep being led to their own slaughter.

By: raj

raj — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:40:35 +0000

Home ownership is another one of those things that we have forgotten is a DREAM and not a right. My parents were married for years before they could afford to own a home. We need to return to the attitudes that made America great in the first place. Work for what you want, and if you’re lucky, you MIGHT get it someday.

Hugh, I like your attitude. You and I are both extremely blessed to get to do something we love for a living and have it actually pay the bills.

By: Hugh MacLeod

Hugh MacLeod — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:16:14 +0000

Peter, yeah, that’s true everywhere in Europe, and most of the American big cities, as well.

I actually don’t own a home; I rent. I’m putting all my money into growing my business. But Alpine, Tx. is an easy place to rent in…

By: Peter Thomson

Peter Thomson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:53:47 +0000

In New Zealand and Australia the impact of this problem is seen worst in property prices. The cost of a small family home compared to the average wage has steadily increased since the 1960s to a point now where home ownership is an impossible dream for most young people.

By: Hugh MacLeod

Hugh MacLeod — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:08:07 +0000

Hey JBow,good point. Unfortunately, by the time there’s all this lovely hard evidence you speak off, it’ll already to be too late.

The race is to the swift…

By: JBow

JBow — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:46:32 +0000

Lot of speculation, not a lot of hard evidence.

Only time will tell, but it’s more complicated than chinese kids taking our jobs. When they make money, they’re going to want Viking refrigerators, iPhones and privately commissioned prints. They increase competition for jobs but simultaneously increase the number of jobs by becoming consumers themselves.

Maybe the modern day version of a FDH american is a guy with an undergrad degree that works for a big tech company. Still F & H, just slightly less D.

By: Graeme Semple

Graeme Semple — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:41:45 +0000

It sounds like the actuaries agree…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/nov/06/1948-nhs-pensions-baby-boom

By: Javed Alam

Javed Alam — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:54:08 +0000

We need to retool becasue old learning does not work and We need the skill-set and knowledge that is relevant now and in the future.

“What Top Level Executives Think about Skills or Knowledge Needed to Succeed in 21st Century” http://bit.ly/2q1J98