The Corrosion of Character

1. The new capitalism erodes character through flexible work arrangements

Time is the only resource freely available to those at the bottom of society.

Flexible capitalism disrupts time. The new economic order emphasizes short-term gains, rapid change, and adaptability over long-term stability. This shift affects workers at all levels, from factory floors to corporate offices. The traditional career path, once a linear progression within a single company, has been replaced by a series of unpredictable job changes and skill pivots.

Character formation is challenged. The constant flux in work arrangements makes it difficult for individuals to develop a coherent sense of self. Traits like loyalty, commitment, and trust—which require time to develop—are devalued in favor of adaptability and detachment. This erosion of character is exemplified by Rico, a successful professional who struggles to reconcile his flexible work life with his desire for stable family and community relationships.

Key traits undermined by flexible capitalism:

• Long-term loyalty
• Deep commitments
• Trust-building
• Consistent personal narratives

2. Routine work, once demeaning, now offers stability in a chaotic economy

Routine can demean, but it can also protect; routine can decompose labor, but it can also compose a life.

Reevaluating routine work. While routine labor was once viewed as mind-numbing and dehumanizing, it now offers a form of stability in an increasingly uncertain economic landscape. The predictability of routine allows workers to plan their lives and develop a sense of mastery over their tasks.

Historical perspective on routine. The essay traces the evolution of attitudes towards routine work from ancient times through the Industrial Revolution. It highlights how thinkers like Diderot saw value in repetitive tasks, viewing them as opportunities for skill development and self-reflection. This contrasts with Adam Smith's concerns about the deadening effects of extreme labor division.

Benefits of routine in modern context:

• Provides structure in chaotic times
• Allows for skill mastery and improvement
• Offers predictability for life planning
• Can be a source of identity and pride

3. Flexible capitalism creates a disconnect between work and personal values

"No long term" disorients action over the long term, loosens bonds of trust and commitment, and divorces will from behavior.

Work-life fragmentation. The new capitalism's emphasis on flexibility and short-term thinking creates a schism between professional and personal life. Workers are expected to adapt quickly to new roles and environments, often at the expense of developing deep connections or consistent personal narratives.

Value conflicts emerge. Individuals like Rico find themselves torn between the demands of a flexible work environment and their desire for stable personal relationships and community involvement. This disconnect can lead to a sense of moral disorientation, as the values promoted in the workplace (adaptability, detachment) conflict with traditional personal values (commitment, loyalty).

Manifestations of work-personal value disconnect:

• Difficulty in long-term personal planning
• Erosion of community involvement
• Challenges in maintaining family stability
• Internal conflict between professional and personal identities

4. Modern work culture promotes superficial teamwork over genuine collaboration

Teamwork is the group practice of demeaning superficiality.

The facade of teamwork. Modern management emphasizes teamwork as a key to productivity and innovation. However, the reality often falls short of the ideal. In many workplaces, teamwork becomes a superficial exercise in conformity rather than genuine collaboration.

Consequences of shallow collaboration. This emphasis on surface-level teamwork can lead to a lack of individual accountability and a dilution of expertise. Workers are encouraged to be adaptable and cooperative, but not necessarily to develop deep skills or take true ownership of their work. The result is often a workplace culture that values appearance over substance.

Characteristics of superficial teamwork:

• Emphasis on agreeability over critical thinking
• Lack of clear individual responsibilities
• Prioritization of short-term goals over long-term development
• Diminished value placed on specialized knowledge

5. Risk-taking in careers becomes both necessary and psychologically damaging

Being continually exposed to risk can thus eat away at your sense of character.

The imperative of risk. In the flexible economy, workers are increasingly expected to take risks with their careers, whether by changing jobs frequently, acquiring new skills, or starting their own ventures. This constant pressure to take risks can be psychologically taxing.

Psychological toll of uncertainty. The essay explores how continuous risk-taking affects individuals' sense of self and their ability to plan for the future. It highlights the experiences of workers like Rose, who find that the constant need to adapt and take risks leads to a pervasive sense of insecurity and self-doubt.

Effects of constant career risk-taking:

• Increased anxiety and stress
• Difficulty in forming long-term personal narratives
• Erosion of professional identity
• Challenges in personal relationship building

6. The work ethic evolves from self-discipline to adaptability, losing depth

The ethos of teamwork, with its inner suspensions and ironies, takes us far away from the moral universe of Virgil's grim, heroic farmer.

Shift in work ethic. The traditional work ethic, which emphasized self-discipline and delayed gratification, is being replaced by a new ethos that values flexibility and adaptability above all else. This shift has profound implications for how individuals view their work and themselves.

Loss of depth in work identity. As the focus shifts from long-term mastery to short-term adaptability, workers may lose a sense of depth in their professional identities. The essay contrasts this new work ethic with older conceptions of work as a source of character development and personal fulfillment.

Characteristics of the new work ethic:

• Prioritization of adaptability over mastery
• Emphasis on short-term results over long-term development
• Valuation of social skills over technical expertise
• Diminished sense of work as a source of personal identity

7. Failure in the new economy is pervasive and requires narrative understanding

Failure is no longer the normal prospect facing only the very poor or disadvantaged; it has become more familiar as a regular event in the lives of the middle classes.

Normalizing failure. In the flexible economy, failure becomes a more common experience, even for those who were previously insulated from it. The essay examines how individuals cope with failure, particularly in the context of job loss and career setbacks.

Narrative as a coping mechanism. The author explores how creating a coherent narrative around one's experiences of failure can help individuals make sense of their circumstances and maintain a sense of self. This process is illustrated through the stories of downsized IBM programmers who struggle to understand and articulate their experiences.

Stages of failure narrative:

1. Blaming external forces
2. Recognizing personal responsibility
3. Integrating failure into a broader life story
4. Finding new sources of meaning and identity

8. Community becomes a refuge against economic instability, but with limitations

Today, in the new regime of time, that usage "we" has become an act of self-protection.

Seeking community in instability. As the flexible economy creates greater uncertainty and instability in work life, many individuals turn to community as a source of stability and meaning. This can manifest in various forms, from increased involvement in local organizations to a renewed emphasis on family and personal relationships.

Limitations of community as refuge. While community can provide important support, the essay cautions against viewing it as a panacea for the challenges posed by the new capitalism. It notes that community ties can sometimes be exclusionary or based on false notions of shared identity.

Functions of community in the flexible economy:

• Providing emotional support and stability
• Offering alternative sources of identity
• Creating networks for mutual aid
• Potentially fostering resistance to economic pressures

Potential pitfalls of community emphasis:

• Exclusion of outsiders
• Reinforcement of existing inequalities
• Avoidance of broader economic challenges
• Limitation of individual growth and adaptation

Last updated: October 5, 2024