The latest anti-capitalist fad is the ‘anti-work’ movement
Brad Polumbo, Washington Examiner, 5/19/22
EDITORIAL: If this catches on, everyone doing it will inevitably HAVE to become PROFESSIONAL voters who will vote for the candidate who will give them the most money or “benefits” out of the public treasury, and that money will have to be STOLEN from those who work. Hence, the result will be socialism and a destruction of our economy.
The kids are not all right. At least not the millions who’ve been sucked into something called the “anti-work” movement. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
A community on Reddit, a popular forum-style social media platform, has recently exploded and attracted more than 1.9 million members who oppose work altogether. “R/antiwork,” as it is known within Reddit, describes itself as meant “for those who want to end work, are curious about ending work, want to get the most out of a work-free life, want more information on anti-work ideas, and want personal help with their own jobs/work-related struggles.” The members of this community call themselves “idlers.”
“Because the modern day workplace is one where you are expected to work despite your own individual needs or desires,” the group’s FAQ section reads. “Work puts the needs and desires of managers and corporations above and beyond workers, often to the point of abuse through being overworked and underpaid.”
Oh, and these people also want to de-stigmatize laziness or something. Another gem from the FAQ: “Some of us are lazy, sure. What’s wrong with that?”
Some of the posts in the community simply share stories of crappy bosses or aim frustrations about entry-level work that many of us can probably empathize with. But the underlying “anti-work” ideology driving this anti-capitalist movement is rotten to its core and has permeated far beyond the corners of Reddit. It now underlies modern youth politics. You don’t have to take my word for it — just spend a few minutes chatting with the average young supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
It’s more than just laziness or feeling entitled. The fundamental value of work is being lost on my generation, Generation Z, and many of our elder millennial peers. And that’s a dangerous development that we must do everything in our power to correct.
Contra this movement’s maxims, work is actually good for the soul. There’s a reason that studies consistently show higher rates of depression and suicide among the unemployed. Work gives life a sense of purpose. For some lucky people, the work they do is itself fulfilling or something they’re passionate about. But there’s dignity in all work and fulfillment to be found in providing for your family even in a dull or rote line of employment.
The “anti-work” folks get a few other big things wrong, to boot.
Reading through the posts clogging up the forum, you’d think that the modern workplace is worse for workers than ever. But in reality, work is much safer and less physically arduous today than it was 50 years ago, let alone 150 years ago. Yesterday’s factory workers or field hands now sit at desks or stand behind registers — and use their iPhones to complain on Reddit during their breaks.
Oh, and the spread of global capitalism has done more to reduce poverty than anything in human history. No big deal.
That’s not to say that work is all fun and games. It’s most certainly not. But it’s what makes the world as we know it go round. The groceries on our shelves. The gas pumped into our cars. The software on our phones. All of these things we depend on, and so many more, only exist because millions of people across this country work hard every day.
If enough people in the next generation grow up believing they have a right to live off everyone else without working, the very fabric of our economic system could collapse. So while the “anti-work” movement might sound like a joke, its ramifications are serious.
Brad Polumbo (@Brad_Polumbo) is a co-founder of Based-Politics.com, a co-host of the BasedPolitics podcast, and a Washington Examiner contributor.