Powell Memorandum at 50

[David Horn]

(09-07-2021, 10:42 AM)beechnut79 Wrote: I wonder if any of you see any significant correlation between the Powell Memo and the type of society which took hold a decade or so later. That's when, with the advent of the Yuppie culture, we became a decidedly workaholic culture which, I have pointed out many times, is the opposite of what many pundits expected with the advent of the technology most of us now kneel at the feet of. Are we trying to get a lot of work done before the solemnity of the 4T set in? This although the saecular drama was not exposed until the 90s. High tech version of "Make hay while the sun shines"?  Was it a case of the society feeling some sense of urgency in which work became like a God in many folks' minds?  Enthusiasm, passion, and possibly even overdoing it, were highlighted. Many apparently didn't seem to remember to come up for air even to this day as there are still so many with that mindset. That the to-do list never seems to end. And, while we're at it, does anyone think we will ever really see that society of increased leisure that was once all but promised?

Yes, we decided to put the Protetant work ethic on steriods, and punish those least willing to comply.  Rewards?  Yes, for some hard workers, but certainly not for all.  Was it fair?  Hell no, but it's a religous fervor thing and hard to kill for that reason alone.  We may have finally recognized the idiocy of the practice -- at least in most spheres of the economy.  Apparently, High Tech is still slave territory, as are the most competitive parts of the law, medicine and consultancy.  Watching less produce more may alter even those, so hope springs from odd sources.  Perhaps just this once, the lowly working class will instruct "their betters" on being both productive and happy.