That's a fair point. While I do think there are other variables at play, this does make you consider how gig/precarious work has permeated all industries, including academia. Thanks.
I've been working class all my life. From the age of 15, I've been a farmer, then a college student, then worked at a feed yard, went back to college, spent 13 years as an x-ray tech, then 13 years as a state correction officer, and now a detention officer in the county jail. I have never had more than 200 dollars in my bank account, after paying my bills.
By the way, I've heard the name Rebecca Solnit before, but I've never heard anything by her. What's she best known for? Why do you call her a "brilliant essayist"? Is she one of the Leftists that gradually lost the plot and then fell off a cliff in 2020?
She's probably best known for her essay compilation 'Men Explain Things to Me'. I tried reading it years ago but I thought it was pretty surface level and self-indulgent. That being said, I call her a brilliant essayist because I think she tells a really good story, even if it's embellished (there's quite a few criticisms out there of people claiming she lies/embellishes to adhere to a certain political agenda). To me, her ideas aren't subversive or memorable, but her writing is really good.
I disagree entirely with her politics (liberal feminism, views on gender ideology, etc), and this seeming facade she puts on. Her personal stories make me feel like she's playing a role we expect her to play. It's like she's already self-censoring before she's even started typing - all of us do to an extent, but I think there is this additional fear of falling out of favor with the liberal orthodoxy that is preventing her from writing more honestly (and she comes across as defensive and self-righteous as a result).
If she were to break out of this self-imposed straitjacket, I think she could produce some of her best work, like what Suzanne Moore did (Moore is a journalist who spoke out about gender ideology - she also wrote for the Guardian and has since gone independent because her views challenged the liberal orthodoxy).
P.S. I have a book recommendation for you: Cultish by Amanda Montell. It's by a (liberal) feminist linguist who looks at how cults use language to deliberately foster a Us Vs. Them dynamic... very entertaining... especially when she gets into MLM scams and "Boss Babe"-style peer pressure.
I'm not sure if you'd like her writing style or not, but I was extremely entertained. It's available as an audiobook on Spotify.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like all her stuff... she'd occasionally say something that gave me a sense we likely wouldn't get along at all if we met IRL... but she wrote a great book about the linguistics of cults!
tenured professor or adjunct? because *most* of the latter are highly exploited people.
That's a fair point. While I do think there are other variables at play, this does make you consider how gig/precarious work has permeated all industries, including academia. Thanks.
I've been working class all my life. From the age of 15, I've been a farmer, then a college student, then worked at a feed yard, went back to college, spent 13 years as an x-ray tech, then 13 years as a state correction officer, and now a detention officer in the county jail. I have never had more than 200 dollars in my bank account, after paying my bills.
By the way, I've heard the name Rebecca Solnit before, but I've never heard anything by her. What's she best known for? Why do you call her a "brilliant essayist"? Is she one of the Leftists that gradually lost the plot and then fell off a cliff in 2020?
She's probably best known for her essay compilation 'Men Explain Things to Me'. I tried reading it years ago but I thought it was pretty surface level and self-indulgent. That being said, I call her a brilliant essayist because I think she tells a really good story, even if it's embellished (there's quite a few criticisms out there of people claiming she lies/embellishes to adhere to a certain political agenda). To me, her ideas aren't subversive or memorable, but her writing is really good.
I disagree entirely with her politics (liberal feminism, views on gender ideology, etc), and this seeming facade she puts on. Her personal stories make me feel like she's playing a role we expect her to play. It's like she's already self-censoring before she's even started typing - all of us do to an extent, but I think there is this additional fear of falling out of favor with the liberal orthodoxy that is preventing her from writing more honestly (and she comes across as defensive and self-righteous as a result).
If she were to break out of this self-imposed straitjacket, I think she could produce some of her best work, like what Suzanne Moore did (Moore is a journalist who spoke out about gender ideology - she also wrote for the Guardian and has since gone independent because her views challenged the liberal orthodoxy).
Thanks for this!
P.S. I have a book recommendation for you: Cultish by Amanda Montell. It's by a (liberal) feminist linguist who looks at how cults use language to deliberately foster a Us Vs. Them dynamic... very entertaining... especially when she gets into MLM scams and "Boss Babe"-style peer pressure.
I'm not sure if you'd like her writing style or not, but I was extremely entertained. It's available as an audiobook on Spotify.
Oh yeah, doesn't she also have a podcast? I listened to a few episodes and wasn't a huge fan, but the book could be interesting. Thanks for the rec!
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like all her stuff... she'd occasionally say something that gave me a sense we likely wouldn't get along at all if we met IRL... but she wrote a great book about the linguistics of cults!
What happened to the middle class? Are they not part of this equation?
Because middle class are not in the same league as the oligarchy, or the working class, but they are the targeted class.
Some can’t see it though.
Blessings,
Janey
Hear, hear!