The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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Work as identity, burnout as lifestyle

Apr 22, 2019

Anne Helen Petersen, a writer celebrated for her viral BuzzFeed piece on millennial burnout, joins Derek Thompson of The Atlantic, who explores 'workism.' They dive into how work has shifted from a necessity to a core part of our identities, often leading to burnout. The conversation critiques societal pressures surrounding productivity and how social media influences our work-life balance. They discuss the need for a cultural shift to prioritize well-being over relentless productivity, calling for a deeper understanding of meaningful leisure.

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INSIGHT

Work as Identity

Work has shifted from a necessity to a status symbol and now to a calling.
This transformation contributes to workism, where work becomes central to identity.

insights

INSIGHT

Millennial Burnout

Millennial burnout is unique due to constant pressure to work and student debt.
Social media adds another layer, demanding performance of work-life balance.

insights

INSIGHT

Expanding Definition of Work

The expansion of 'work' beyond traditional jobs contributes to burnout.
Errands, social media, and leisure activities become subject to optimization.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Redefining Work and Identity

04:24 • 4min

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The Work-Life Balancing Act

08:34 • 26min

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The Paradox of Leisure and Meaning in Modern Life

34:31 • 6min

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Adventures in Capability and Athletic Excellence

40:14 • 2min

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Capitalism and Burnout: Rethinking Work Culture

42:22 • 17min

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Redefining Work and Identity

59:22 • 8min

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Work, Identity, and Disillusionment

01:07:01 • 17min

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How to Change

The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Katy Milkman

In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.

Kids These Days

Human Capital and the Making of Millennials

Malcolm Harris

In 'Kids These Days,' Malcolm Harris presents a critical examination of the socio-economic forces that have shaped the Millennial generation, arguing that these young adults are the products of an intensifying culture of hyper-competition and economic exploitation. Harris meticulously dissects the pressures placed on Millennials, from the education system to the labor market, revealing how they have been conditioned to prioritize productivity and adaptability at the expense of personal well-being.

Fake work

Brent D. Peterson

In 'Fake Work', Brent D. Peterson and Gaylan W. Nielson explore the concept of tasks that consume time without contributing to organizational goals. They provide strategies to recognize and eliminate such tasks, focusing on real work that achieves results. The book offers solutions to enhance productivity and align work with company strategies.

Flow

The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

In this classic work, Csikszentmihalyi investigates 'optimal experience' and reveals that true happiness and satisfaction can be achieved through a state of consciousness called 'flow. ' During flow, individuals experience complete concentration on the task, clarity of goals, and immediate feedback. The book demonstrates how this positive state can be controlled and how it can improve the quality of life by unlocking meaning, creativity, and peak performance.

BOWLING ALONE

The Collapse and Revival of American Community

Robert Putnam

In 'Bowling Alone', Robert D. Putnam presents extensive data showing how Americans have become disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and democratic structures. He argues that this decline in social capital has significant negative impacts on physical and civic health. The book explores various factors contributing to this decline, including changes in work, family structure, suburbanization, and the influence of technology such as television and the internet. Putnam also discusses historical precedents and potential solutions for reviving civic engagement and social connections.

Who are we?

Samuel P. Huntington

In *Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity*, Samuel P. Huntington argues that America's national identity is under threat from various factors, including large-scale immigration, particularly from Hispanic countries, bilingualism, multiculturalism, and the 'denationalization' of American elites. He contends that the core values of American identity, such as the English language, Protestant values, individualism, and respect for law, are being eroded. Huntington advocates for a renewal of these values to sustain American identity, warning that the American Creed alone is insufficient to maintain national unity. The book is a controversial and thought-provoking analysis of the identity crisis in the United States.

A Visit from the Goon Squad

Jennifer Egan

White

Richard Dyer

Richard Dyer's 'White' explores how whiteness has remained largely unexamined in cultural studies despite its central role in racial representation. The book analyzes images of white people within contexts such as Christianity, race, and colonialism, examining representations in film, photography, and other media. It highlights the construction of whiteness as a normative and universal category in Western culture.

The Vertigo Years

Europe 1900-1914

Philipp Blom

In 'The Vertigo Years', Philipp Blom explores the pivotal period from 1900 to 1914, arguing that this era laid the groundwork for the modern age. The book vividly portrays a time of rapid change, marked by scientific advancements, social upheaval, and cultural shifts that ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I. Blom's narrative brings to life the complexities and contradictions of this era, making it a compelling read for those interested in European history.

Cheap Amusements

Kathy Peiss

Cheap Amusements by Kathy Peiss delves into the cultural and social lives of young working women in New York City between 1880 and 1920. The book examines how these women engaged in emerging forms of commercialized leisure, such as dance halls, amusement parks, and movie theaters, which contributed to a shift in American culture toward greater social freedom and mixed-sex social interactions. Peiss's work highlights the impact of working-class women on the evolution of popular amusements and cultural attitudes toward gender and sexuality.

In the past few months, two essays on America’s changing relationship to work caught my eye. The first was Anne Helen Petersen’s viral BuzzFeed piece defining, and describing, “millennial burnout.” The second was Derek Thompson’s Atlantic article on “workism.”

The two pieces speak to each other in interesting ways, and to some questions I’ve been reflecting on as my own relationship to work changes. So I asked the authors to join me for a conversation about what happens when work becomes an identity, capitalism becomes a religion, and productivity becomes the way we measure human value. The conversation exceeded even the high hopes I had for it. Enjoy this one.

Book recommendations:

Kids These Days: Human Capital and the Making of Millennialsby Malcolm Harris

White: Essays on Race and Cultureby Richard Dyer

The Vertigo Years: Europe, 1900-1914by Philipp Blom

A Visit from the Goon Squadby Jennifer Egan

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