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by sosuke 1631 days ago
You aren't wrong either. I like to believe that hard work leads to success but I'm just lying to motivate myself.

Science fiction: there was a book, I forget the name now it was a pulp novel. Aliens breed humans for luck resulting in a fantastic adventure for the lucky girl.
2 comments
ntSean 1631 days ago
If you’re working for someone else, the term for what you’re participating in is “hope labor”. If you’re okay with that structure, then I hope you’re okay with always being a proletariat.

If you’re talking about working for yourself, you can be sure hard work is involved, but it is unlikely to economically enrich you.

But, in the rare case you become rich from hard work; I’m glad the fiction for many became your reality!

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pb7 1631 days ago
>If you’re okay with that structure, then I hope you’re okay with always being a proletariat.

What does this mean and why would anyone care?

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ntSean 1630 days ago
It means always working, regardless of circumstance.

This might not seem like a problem while you're young and healthy, but as you age and enter the cohort of those who would like to retire, you start to be on the receiving end of discrimination, health issues and less work opportunities.

Hence why in many countries, there are mandatory retirement investments (in Australia we call it Superannuation). This catapults many workers (and would-be retirees) into the investor class. But, this is not a guarantee for all, and requires forethought.

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pb7 1630 days ago
This doesn’t check out. Most people working for someone else will retire with funds to cover their living. A large number of people can retire decades early because of how much money they earn. In the US, even if you’re not saving after tax money for retirement, you would have social security (compulsory), 401(k)s, and pensions all of which are investment vehicles under the hood.

Most people in the US have a 401(k) which makes them owners.

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ntSean 1629 days ago
I think we agree in parts - my point being in the Gig economy? Contracting? You are not guaranteed retirement. If you work hard to become the best Uber driver, you are not simultaneously campaigning to be rewarded a 401(k). It is important to know your class, and where you need to be in the future in order to have a retirement.
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uejfiweun 1631 days ago
I believe you're thinking of Ringworld by Larry Niven.
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