The Gray Area with Sean Illing Best of: Work as identity, burnout as lifestyle
Dec 26, 2019
Anne Helen Petersen, a BuzzFeed writer, explores millennial burnout, while Derek Thompson, a writer for The Atlantic, discusses 'workism.' They dive into how work has evolved from a necessity to a central identity, examining the pressures of productivity and its impacts on mental health. The conversation critiques capitalism's role in defining worth and highlights the struggle of finding balance in an increasingly digitized world. They advocate for revaluing leisure and personal well-being amid changing societal expectations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Work as Identity
- Workism is the belief that work should be the central focus of our lives.
- It's a modern idea that work is not just a job but the core of our identity.
Millennial Burnout
- Millennial burnout is a chronic state of stress from constant work pressure.
- Factors include student debt, social media performance, and stalled adulthood.
Lost Art of Leisure
- Derek Thompson realized he'd forgotten how to truly relax and enjoy leisure.
- His downtime was spent worrying about productivity, highlighting workism's grip.
