Hello,
In The Republic, Plato—through Socrates—distinguishes between craft (technē) and wage-earning. The idea is that a true craftsperson pursues mastery and excellence for its own sake, engaging in their craft out of a love for the joy and connection to the service rather than for the rewards of profit. This notion celebrates the intrinsic value of work, much like the state of absorption (read "We Made It" to learn more about absorption). However, when it comes to daily life, most of us balance work that is interesting (and provides financial gain) with tasks that may not set our hearts on fire.
At first glance, Plato’s insights might seem distant from our everyday work experiences. Yet, his idea that wage-earning should not be the sole motivation for practicing a skill resonates deeply—even today. While a few are lucky enough to merge passion with a paycheck, for many, work is about making ends meet without losing one’s sense of purpose.
This brings me to a recent commencement address by Jerry Seinfeld at Duke in 2024. Seinfeld advised the graduates:
About work, you know how they always say nobody ever looks back on their life and wishes they spent more time at the office? Well, why? Why don’t they? Guess what? Depends on the job. If you took a stupid job that you find out you hate and you don’t leave, that’s your fault.
Don’t blame work. Work is wonderful. I definitely will not be looking back on my life wishing I worked less. If that’s not how you feel at work. Quit. On your lunch break. Disappear. Make people go, “What happened to that guy?”
“I don’t know, he said he was getting something to eat. Never came back…”
The other thing I see going on that throws a lot of people off these days is thinking, I’ve got to make as much money as I can. I, personally, believe the real game is I want to have the coolest job. When I started out as a comedian, I did not think I was funny. I thought, “I’m a little funny. Maybe I wouldn’t have to be that funny. I just have to be funny enough to feed one person. And I could do that with a loaf of wonder bread in a jar, peanut butter, a loaf of bread and some peanut butter.”
That was my actual plan. That’s how you think when you do not have a Duke education. I just wanted to have this super cool job. And cool is a word not easily defined. It’s really just whatever you think is cool. So just go for what you think is the coolest.
Money will be made eventually, somehow. Try not to think about it so much. I see this messing people up a lot. Put it to the side a little. Don’t think about having; think about becoming. Having is fine, but focus on becoming. That is where it’s at.
While Seinfeld’s quip is designed to inspire, it’s important to note that his perspective comes from a place of considerable financial freedom. To put it in context, consider he’s worth over $1 billion compared with the statistics from Ziprecruiter showing that the average comedian earns just under $40,000 a year. As well, the cost of a four-year Duke education in tuition alone would be in the neighborhood of $240,000. For many Duke students burdened with significant debt, the idea of simply “disappearing” from work is far removed from reality. What’s more, these comments are insulting to the hard work done by everyday people who must balance passion with financial necessity.
Supporting yourself and your family is inherently admirable, regardless of whether your job is “super cool." While finding work that is both enjoyable and financially rewarding is ideal, self-sufficiency is paramount. It's more important to be able to pay your bills than to hold out for a "dream job" that may never materialize. Whether you're a high-powered professional or juggling multiple roles to make ends meet, your efforts deserve respect. This point was driven home in an article I once read by a sanitation worker who argued that no one should be ashamed of work that provides for their family. We often create a false hierarchy of value, glamorizing certain professions while stigmatizing others. We elevate those with degrees and disparage those in blue-collar or labor-intensive fields, asking who wants to be a janitor or bus driver. Yet, many professionals in "prestigious" careers are unhappy but driven by financial needs, while many in less-glamorous roles find fulfillment and often earn comparable or greater incomes. Ultimately, whether you have your "dream job" or a job considered less desirable, the need to pay bills is a valid and respectable reason to show up and contribute.
Plato’s insights remind us that craft is done for the joy and service of that task. This is separate from but equal to the necessity of wage-earning. Similarly, while Seinfeld’s advice may inspire those with the luxury of financial freedom, most of us must reconcile our intrinsic passions with our extrinsic responsibilities. Whether your work is driven by interest or occasionally by absorption (read What's the Difference Between Interested and Absorbed? (And Why It Matters)"), there is no shame in deriving a paycheck from work that is not your passion.
Take pride in supporting yourself and your family. Celebrate the everyday provider in you, recognizing that both your craft and your wage-earning are vital parts of who you are. In doing so, you honor not only the philosophical ideals of excellence but also the hard-earned realities of daily life.
~Heather
P.S. My Catch of the Week is this Consumer Affairs post, "Comparing the Costs of Generations" on the cost differences in a variety of goods over the past fifty years. It will shock you! Here are the three takeaways...
Gen Z dollars today have 86% less purchasing power than those from when baby boomers were in their twenties.
The cost of public and private school tuition has increased by 310% and 245%, respectively, since the 1970s.
Gen Zers and millennials are paying 57% more per gallon of gas than baby boomers did in their 20s.
P.P.S. Please remember to...
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