In Praise of Idleness (2/3)

by Bertrand Russell

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skHCkCDBrls
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPXUgvGHBtM
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROfZKwKv5i4
Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=22C3CDBDE77D3F9F

Transcript: http://www.whywork.org/rethinking/leisure/russell.html

Attribution: http://norelpref.com/cc/

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Bertrand Russell
• Bertrand
• Russell
• idleness
• work
• slacker
• laziness

[decenthypocrite]

the end of overwork is coming to an end, it isnt sustainable anymore.

[tombeast17]

@NoMorFear - Cont...

Afterall, the few born into situations that enable them to rule/employ others have not earned this position.

With regards to decision making. Capitalism is an economic system, not a political one, that should never be forgotten. Democracy could still exist. Leaders would be elected, and people running for power would have had to have excelled in a FAIR education system, one that gives people from all backgrounds the same start in life.

[walmartramen]

In Canada I think you still have to have overtime approved, by your boss.

[SikGamer70]

6:42

You read "A similar thing has happened in Russia as regards manual work" twice. :P

[Bremerxxxx]

Persuasive and logical article by Russell. Thanks for reading and for reading well.

[jystyle]

hmm... Interesting and most excellent ideas!!!

[tombeast17]

@NoMorFear - I think you ask a lot of good questions that are very hard to answer. What i would say though is that the system is unfair in a sense that a small few are born into a situation that gives them the means to produce and are raised with that in mind, whilst the vast majority are born trapped in situations that mean they will serve the few and make them richer and are brought up to accept this way of life. Machines, not poor people, can now be used to supply the demand.

continued

[samsonlovesyou]

TL;DR

[NoMorFear]

3rd:

I asked before, that w/o individuals making decisions, who makes decisions?

Answer: the state makes decisions with force.

or

People form their own collective or w/e the fuck and magically make ideal decisions for EVERYONE w/o coercion or hierarchy. Explain to me how decisions are made. Explain to me how demand is met. Explain to me how value is assessed w/o prices and consumer demand.

NOTE: capitalism does not restrict people from organizing their own collective.

[NoMorFear]

2nd:

You say "can you imagine if there were no bosses" but fail to realize WHY there are factories. There are factories because of owners who take risks, build a business to meet demand, and employ those who volunteer to use HIS capital to acquire their OWN wealth.

This is an obscenely simple concept and you can't grasp it.

continued...