Monday
Aug182008
Do What You Want
Monday, August 18, 2008 at 6:21PM
Bear with me here for a little bit, because I'm going to paint in BROAD strokes.
I believe that one of the greatest social and cultural failures of the United States is that, in a country with so much freedom and opportunity, so many people choose not to do what they want; rather, they choose to do what they feel they must to achieve career and financial success.
Chew on it for a bit, and read it a few times. Please.
Here we are in a nation with freedom to believe, say, and do nearly anything that doesn't harm other people (compared to most other nations). If you want to, you can paint. You can cook. You can teach. You can be a professional student. You can be an engineer. Whatever.
What I see so many people doing instead is what they think they should want. We have folks who go for degrees/jobs/vocations because "that's the future" or "that's where the jobs are." Oh yeah, and "that's where the money is." Build that college resume. Build that work resume. Climb that corporate ladder. Learn to play golf because, you know, so much business is conducted on the fairway. Make enough money to get that house in the neighborhood where the good schools are. Then raise your kids to do the same thing. Go ahead, take piano lessons, but maybe that's just a great hobby, and something you can do for fun while you study finance.
Bollocks.
Now don't get me wrong - some people really enjoy finance, and IT, and securities trading, and golf - and those people usually excel at their jobs, and I think they should. But how awful is it that our culture, in a society where we have so many options, encourages the path of least excitement? How awful is it that our culture, in a society that has produced startling works of art and ingenuity, children are prodded into more "practical" pursuits like business and science, while creativity falls by the wayside?
Sure there are people thrust into situations beyond their individual control. Sure, there are people who make mistakes or misunderstand and get caught in a direction they struggle to change, but such are not the people of whom I speak (though I hope that would be obvious at this point). I'm talking about the people who go to business school just to get ahead in their careers - not because they enjoy it or want to learn more. I'm taking about the people who participate in Model UN instead of the photography club because it will help them get into a better academic program. And I'm especially talking about the parents, colleagues, spouses, and friends who put pressure on each other and loved ones to participate in this defunct way of thinking.
If you like what you do, that's awesome, and I understand that even if you don't, you may not be in a position to change that. But if you can, don't pursue advancement in a career because of the financial security and neighborhood status at the end of the tunnel. Do what you want.
I believe that one of the greatest social and cultural failures of the United States is that, in a country with so much freedom and opportunity, so many people choose not to do what they want; rather, they choose to do what they feel they must to achieve career and financial success.
Chew on it for a bit, and read it a few times. Please.
Here we are in a nation with freedom to believe, say, and do nearly anything that doesn't harm other people (compared to most other nations). If you want to, you can paint. You can cook. You can teach. You can be a professional student. You can be an engineer. Whatever.
What I see so many people doing instead is what they think they should want. We have folks who go for degrees/jobs/vocations because "that's the future" or "that's where the jobs are." Oh yeah, and "that's where the money is." Build that college resume. Build that work resume. Climb that corporate ladder. Learn to play golf because, you know, so much business is conducted on the fairway. Make enough money to get that house in the neighborhood where the good schools are. Then raise your kids to do the same thing. Go ahead, take piano lessons, but maybe that's just a great hobby, and something you can do for fun while you study finance.
Bollocks.
Now don't get me wrong - some people really enjoy finance, and IT, and securities trading, and golf - and those people usually excel at their jobs, and I think they should. But how awful is it that our culture, in a society where we have so many options, encourages the path of least excitement? How awful is it that our culture, in a society that has produced startling works of art and ingenuity, children are prodded into more "practical" pursuits like business and science, while creativity falls by the wayside?
Sure there are people thrust into situations beyond their individual control. Sure, there are people who make mistakes or misunderstand and get caught in a direction they struggle to change, but such are not the people of whom I speak (though I hope that would be obvious at this point). I'm talking about the people who go to business school just to get ahead in their careers - not because they enjoy it or want to learn more. I'm taking about the people who participate in Model UN instead of the photography club because it will help them get into a better academic program. And I'm especially talking about the parents, colleagues, spouses, and friends who put pressure on each other and loved ones to participate in this defunct way of thinking.
If you like what you do, that's awesome, and I understand that even if you don't, you may not be in a position to change that. But if you can, don't pursue advancement in a career because of the financial security and neighborhood status at the end of the tunnel. Do what you want.
tagged General
General
Reader Comments (4)
I think in a way these attitudes do have some basis in reality, in survival instinct if you will. Let's face it, most people can learn to do basic office functions, manage a few people, make excel spreadsheets, send something via fed-ex, press a button on a machine etc. Most people, however do not have the talent it takes to pursue artistic endeavors. I would very much argue that arts and higher sciences require ever bit as much, if not more intellegence then business ecumen etc. For this reason many parents teach these things. At some level they don't want dependent children for the rest of their life. Just as a bird doesn't teach dance lessons, it teaches flight to it's siblings. I think you can do harm by going to either extreme in this case. True artistic talent, should it desire, should be fostered and encouraged. A talent is a wonderful thing. It is a gift of God. However, if every kid that ever wanted to be an actor because he was in his high school play went to acting school because "he loved to", we'd have a less productive society at some level.
Anyways, this is mostly for arguments sake. You know me. At some level, if this "aspiring actor were given the levity to follow the dream and fail", he might later in life say to himself "at least I tried", and be a happier more productive machine in the "life" we Americans now live.
Why is surviving at a decent level so much harder these days? Or is it even?
@Jacob Kelly:
I think you make some solid points, but they're a little tangential to some extent. If I mentioned more of artistic pursuits it's only because it's what is most often stifled in this country.
Additionally, my main point is to question the "pragmatic career path." I think there may be some kids who LOVE computers or accounting or human resources, but they live with parents who have very clear ideas of what their children should grow up to be, and it isn't what interests the children in the slightest.
I certainly agree with you that it's risky to swing to the extreme of overindulgence as well. I, for one, cringe at the excessive use of standing ovations at every youth concert or school play. I also get quite upset at those parents who insist to their children, teachers, and selves that their offspring are the greatest musicians or dancers this side of anywhere. Of course, while some of that may be an over-developed sense of matronly pride, it's just as often a propensity for overbearing vicarious living on the part of the parent, too.
Finally, I'm okay with a "less productive society" - at least in terms of industry, which seems to be what you're talking about. If that means we pollute less, have less stress, and consume less, I think you'd agree that we'd be better off :-)
are you turning into a granola cruncher on me Dan? hahaha...
next thing you know, you'll be riding your bike to work! ahahahahhaaa liberanatti.
I've definately thought about riding a bike to work, but thought of starting my work day all sweating is not desirable.
Back to the topic, I have seen what Dan is talking about in one of my sister's friends. When she went to school, while she wanted to do violin performance her parents also made her do pre-med, I suspect since she comes from a family of doctors. So what happened you ask? It was an almost impossible double major, so both fields suffered. Now after having switched universities and majors a couple times, she has ended up in pre-law with a poli-sci major. I guess she finally found something she could enjoy and that would lead to success.
It frustrates me when parents do that. Sure being a musician or artist is a hard life, but if you're good at it you can still be successful, just maybe not as much monetarily, and with a little more stress.