Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site cca.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!cca!diego From: diego@cca.UUCP (Diego Gonzalez) Newsgroups: net.social,net.women Subject: Re: Rampant misinterpretation on the net (so what else is new?) Message-ID: <3417@cca.UUCP> Date: Tue, 23-Jul-85 11:55:22 EDT Article-I.D.: cca.3417 Posted: Tue Jul 23 11:55:22 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 20-Aug-85 00:29:32 EDT References: <11494@brl-tgr.ARPA> <1301@mnetor.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Computer Corp. of America, Cambridge Lines: 58 Our occupations are not our only (or, in some cases, really apt) definitions of ourselves. Still, being asked what we do is a throwback to a time when occupations were considered to suit the person involved in them. I have this "prostitute" theory. In life, we make certain choices (free?) as a matter of course. One set of those regards our worth in given situations. Depending on our perceived position at the moment, background, needs, social pressure, and whatever other factors, we negotiate our best deal and "sell" some portion of our selves to the bidder. True, we reject some offers, but at some price we settle. Very often, the trading is done with an "employer" who then has certain rights in defining our "jobs." When a buyer of our services claims more of our souls than we feel was bargained for, we look for additional compensation or other places to work. Some people disagree with this analogy, but in a way doesn't it put an objective lens on the issue. We do make a sale of some part of our beings, usually with some generalized concept of time and energy commitment. Many people (and this attitude is reinforced by most management programs) look on work as a separate part of life. Work is business with its own set of rules and modes of behavior, and then there is a personal life that is separately maintained. Work is something one does for income; life is outside of that. I don't think that's so. It seems to me that work is our broad contribution to society. One should agree both morally and temperamentally with one's occupation. After all, we expect to spend one third of our most productive years advancing the interests of our employers (even when we are self-employed). In this process, through the contacts and interactions we have with other people and by our individual contributions to our fields, we leave a mark. Considering the importance of work in our lives, then, it seems inexcusable for anyone to assert that we cannot afford to pursue jobs that are both pleasing to us and meaningful. Unfortunately, a lot of folks fear the uncertainty of changing careers, moving to new locations, or altering their patterns of living. When you consider that you have sold some part of yourself for certain returns, however, you can then evaluate whether the deal is satisfactory. Each of us has a life -- just one. To the extent possible, we use that experience. Are we reaching for our own goals or for the ones we think are expected of us? When people ask me what I do, I tell them I am a writer. That's what I am at this point of my life. I have rejected some situations because they were not right for me. I know what I have sold and on what terms. If you're not what you do, you should be in transition to doing something else. Sophie's right about it taking some time to know or appreciate someone. Even so, I think saying what we do for a major portion of each week does tell some significant things about ourselves. For it's not only the job but how we express our feelings about it that creates an impression in other peoples' minds. If I tell you I'm a welder but I hate my work, you are going to ask me what I'm intend to do about it. All of that discussion becomes part of your image of me. So why object to people asking what we do? It's an expression of interest and it's our opportunity to present ourselves effectively. Maybe even change our image of ourselves and our potentials in the bargain.