Blame it on the internet.

For sure, for sure!! For damn sure!

I have never been caught up in busy. It is another reason for my career choice.

My personal experience is that it was already burned into the psyche of the Baby Boomers; as a Gen-X'er, I grew up in a world where I quickly realized that my worth as a human being was intrinsically tied to my gainful employment, productivity, and profitability... and while my parents would probably deny ever intentionally instilling those things as (spoken out loud) ideals, it was the very clear example that was set, and the "understood" -- you're only as good as what you do, make, and bring to the table.

It's easy to forget and brush off that mindset, when your nose is to the grindstone and you're out there hammering away, doing your thing... right up to the point where something happens and you're no longer able to meet that soceital standard (e.g., injury, unemployment, disability, et al) -- then it suddenly really, really messes you up... a person can easily go into a tailspin.

Can't think of any response to this one, I am kind of busy right now....

We are no longer living off the land, as the phrase goes. People can no longer, for the most part, go out and hunt for or gather their sustenance; therefore, they must work to pay for it (and shelter, etc.). This began hundreds of years ago, actually, with mass agriculture, and overproduction to feed, and basically encourage overpopulation. Once food was restricted, and people accepted the, in effect, quid pro quo of work for food, we were on our way to what we have now. It is one of the major ways humanity is controlled. Once people accept that system, there is virtually no turning back.

How much damage is, and has been done to the planet, including species other than our own, by pursuit of excessive corporate agriculture? The magnitude is virtually incomprehensible. All to feed a rapacious human population growth. This cannot sustain for too much longer in this way, the consequences of continuing as we have been are unthinkable.

Most americans work so hard that there is no time for living. Live while you are here. Make a way.

I don't know, but I'm trying to stay off that road.

It bothers me a lot. We work our asses off to afford stuff we don't have time to do or use because we have to work...

It began in the late 1800's and was built in different programs over the years and has become the dark government of the republicans and the libertarians now used to hide the millions and billions of dollars.They use every method and trick some of which are criminal in nature to accumulate and retain this money. Examples are dumping toxic waste into the water, oil spills, toxic products from mining, accounting tricks not to pay employees (use of the term independent contractors instead of employees to exclude all benefits like health ins. ,vacations, workmans comp., social security etc). These people will go to no ends to save a dollar that they most likely will never spend and in so doing will place people in low wages and benefits increasing the gap between the wealthy and the middle and lower classes. It is up to the sems to take control of government and serve the people instead of the greed of the wealthy. Will they stand up to the challenge ? I do not know but they are the only choice we have unless we form another party and this does not seem likely.

The word busy is not in my vocabulary anymore.

I relish the days when I have nothing to do.

We have a lovely magazine over here called The Idler, which is dedicated to "How to be free in a world of jobs and debt? And curse this alarm clock."

Love this .. one of my pet hates much respect.

This article is IMO one of the best peices of writing in recent years !!! <3

[huffingtonpost.com]

Stunning bit of writing!

You make a great point. I see nothing wrong with doing nothing.