Re:Is employment essentially a form of slavery?
by cbryan on Tuesday October 06, 2009 @11:09AM
(#864293)
I'm with you most of the way, I think that most of us on HN have more freedom than what alot of people would consider slaves, but I think you're ignoring the coercive factors of economy and society.
I think that people can be placed in compromising positions by economies and cultures that they're a part of. A concrete and probably relevant example could be student loans: a student incurs a tremendous debt for their education, only to be obligated to work in order to service that debt.
Also, your last sentence irks me. Contributing to your community does not mean to have a job. There are plenty of ways to 'pull your weight' that don't involve making money. Building community spaces, plain talking to people, working on a neighborhood watch are all beneficial but are often unpaid. Paying taxes does not necessarily make for a successful community.
I really find it unbelievable that someone would even contemplate such a comparison and think it a meaningful one.
Your employer does not own you, you can switch employers whenever you want - or you can stop working all together.
Nobody is going to come after you to murder you or haul you back if you run away.
No employer is going to sell you to any other, or take physical advantage of you.
You are not born into employment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage_slavery
Is word play, it relates to being 'forced', but in reality nobody is really forced. It's just that if you want to take part in society you are expected to pull your weight, and that means either getting a job or doing your own thing (being self employed).