AFFIRMATIVE - CRITIQUE - CRITIQUE OF WORK 335

ANSWERS: ANTI-WORK POSITION IS ILLOGICAL AND UNTENABLE

OPPOSING WORK IS UNREALISTIC AND SIMPLISTIC -- THE CRITIQUE MUST NOT JUST CRITICIZE THE EXISTING WORKPLACE, BUT PROPOSE A VALID ALTERNATIVE

Neala Schleuning, 1995; The Abolition of Work and Other Myths; This article originally appeared in issue #35 (Summer, 1995) of Kick It Over // acs

The idea of not working is nice, but unrealistic and simplistic. If the critique of what we have come to call "work" is meant to encourage resistance to exploitation by the wage labour system, the objective is a good one. But along with the critique must come a responsible plan for getting the long term work of the society accomplished.

ABOLISH WORK ARGUMENT IS MISGUIDED, SILLY, COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE, AND IRRESPONSIBLE

Neala Schleuning, 1995; The Abolition of Work and Other Myths; This article originally appeared in issue #35 (Summer, 1995) of Kick It Over // acs

The abolition of work argument can take one of several tracks: a critique of the mind-numbing work created by the division of labour; a rejection of technology and a return to a simpler lifestyle free of the constraints of centralized control by capital and the machine; an appropriation of the "boss's" time for personal work; or an outright refusal to work and the personal appropriation of the work of others through squatting, stealing, etc. There are serious problems with some of the arguments for the abolition of work. At best, they are misguided and silly. At their worst, they are counterproductive to the life of the community and just plain irresponsible.

WORK IS ALWAYS A PART OF ALL SOCIETIES -- IT IS INEVITABLE

Neala Schleuning, 1995; The Abolition of Work and Other Myths; This article originally appeared in issue #35 (Summer, 1995) of Kick It Over // acs

Despite these delightful fantasies of leisure, infinite pleasure and wealth, all cultures have also addressed the need for the individual to work. To live is to work and much of life is spent in economic activity. Whether work is seen as the means to achieving some spiritual height or individual salvation, or as a curse for previous transgressions, all the great religions of the world, for example, admonish the slacker, and some raise work to the level of a first principle. Most political thought also either assumes the value of work, or requires it, for the collective good. Basic survival is, of course, a given when we think about the necessity for work.