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A comment on U.S. GDP Shrank in Q1 2015. Parent comment

Re:U.S. GDP Shrank in Q1 2015 by CalRobert on Friday May 29, 2015 @03:33PM (#9626783)
"Giving someone work experience is progress for her."

Is it, though? If you spent 8 hours a day pouring soda in to cups would that be progress? We have this absurd fetishization of "work" as though any task performed in exchanged for money is inherently virtuous. Imagine a world where that person is given their wage, but a robot does the job for them. Is that world any worse off?

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Re:U.S. GDP Shrank in Q1 2015 by humanrebar on Friday May 29, 2015 @04:42PM (#9627240)
> If you spent 8 hours a day pouring soda in to cups would that be progress?

It's not exciting, but proving you can show up on time every day isn't nothing. There are plenty of great jobs that mostly involve being professional, congenial, and available. It's the work history equivalent of building a good credit rating.

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Re:U.S. GDP Shrank in Q1 2015 by brc on Friday May 29, 2015 @06:32PM (#9627907)
This is an important point. Just being punctual and efficient and not stealing is a bar many people can't clear because they didn't start in a low paid job and get experience.
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