Dear Readers,
Have you ever noticed that two people can look at the same situation and see it differently? It’s an interesting phenomenon and one that’s been studied on various occasions (have you ever seen that picture that simultaneously looks like a young woman and an old crone?)
The world seems to work in a similar way. One fairly obvious example is older generations and younger generations looking at the world differently.
Now, to be fair, the world does actually work differently for different age groups. As a society, we branch across various stages of development at a time, particularly in the business world. That being said, we are looking at an accelerated change now due to automation, and it’s worth mentioning the shift and what it means for us humans as time goes on.
I’m actually a huge fan of technology. Computers fascinate me. And while I enjoy things like computer programming and video gaming, it’s actually the advancements in consumer tech that I find most interesting (hyperloop systems, personal robots, and replicators).
Within my lifetime, we’ve seen huge leaps in the available technology and the rate seems to be accelerating still (AGI is likely to happen within our lifetime). (Read Forbes' article on artificial intelligence.) However, as awesome as the potential of technology is, we are starting to see some negative side effects developing as a result, namely a decrease in the required workforce (which primarily affects the younger generations).
This isn’t to say that young people are incapable of finding good, high-paying jobs, just that the prevalence of such work has decreased. Almost anyone can get a job working for minimum wage at a fast food restaurant, but the positions for a high-paying computer programmer job are few and highly competitive.
This coupled with the economic explosion that was Covid, it’s not particularly shocking that most young people are struggling to pay the bills, or wind up living at home, perhaps forever ($14.50 an hour x 40 hours a week does not a rent make - or rather it does, but just barely and you can’t pay for anything else).
Looking at this scenario, it makes sense that most young people would feel a bit hopeless. The gap between struggling and comfortable seems insurmountable, and almost every job poses the same issues. Can it be done? Yes. Is it likely to be done by even the hardest working of young people? No.
See how AI has affected jobs.
As a result, hopelessness tends to be the name of the game for many, and without any real hope of escape, people start to fall into a general depression (if I can’t improve my life, why even try).
Essentially, hard work in a job won’t get you to where you want to be anymore.
We’re looking at a paradigm shift. And that shift is likely to come in the form of new businesses. And while entrepreneurs don’t necessarily earn more money at first, the potential for greater still exists.
So, while I understand the desire to “help” your fellow man by telling them to “get a job,” consider the possibility that such advice doesn’t serve people as well as it once did. All the young people who are glued to their phones, and spend their days recording TikTok videos, are the ones trying to figure out how to follow this new path.
Please, have grace and understanding for anyone having to struggle through this mess and acknowledge that, even though they may not be doing what you think they should be, they are still doing the best they can.
No one wants to be a mooch (I truly believe that). And those who are, are only such because they cannot see how they can be anything else. Survival has never been easy, and now we’re facing a brand new threat. Please be graceful, try not to judge, help where you can, and encourage those around you.
And for those struggling with this shift, I see you. I know what you’re facing and the difficulty of your task, but I believe in you and I know that if you’re willing to keep pushing forward, you’ll find your way. I know it’s tempting to just give up, to turn on the TV to drown your fears and worries. You are worthy of having a wonderful life, and there is still hope. You are the change maker we need, so tune out the naysayers and embrace your creativity. It’s time to “get to work.”
~ Lexis
Lexis is Alexis Rae Baker. She writes from her home in Olympia. Got a question about life, relationships, spirit? Visit her at lexisrae.com or write to Lexis at Lexis@theJOLTnews.com
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